Plans for an outer harbour for Looe have been mooted off and on for more than a century, but with funding for such a scheme, and the problem of exactly where to put it, having been the main obstacles in the past, it has never got off the ground.

However, with the availability of Objective One, which is looking for major schemes to invest in which would generate wealth, and many other grant agencies around, the possibilty of the biggest multi million works to be undertaken in South East Cornwall, since the bulding of the Tamar Bridge, now look distinctly possible.

Recognising the importance of an outer harbour not just for the fishing fleet, but for the whole of Looe and the Caradon area, the Harbour Commissioners held a seminar on Friday, with invited representatives from the main organisations in the town, plus Caradon's Conservation Officer David Moore, and marine expert Dr Ken George from Plymouth University.

Harbour chairman Robert Newton, in welcoming the large attendance, said the purpose of the meeting was to kick around some ideas and to plan the next steps forward. He believed that Looe had gone downmarket over the last 25 years and needed something to bring it back up again which would create some prosperity for all.

It was generally agreed the plans for a small scheme drawn up in 1987, costed in the region of £8-10 million and encompassing the Banjo Pier and beach were not feasible, because it would cause the eventual erosion of the beach , while the 1864 plan, on display, although fascinating , was also deemed not practicable.

Most of the discussion centred around not if Looe wanted an outer harbour, but just how it could be achieved, and where it would be best sited, such was the positive mood of the meeting. A suitable scheme for the port already has the backing of the Town Council, ELTT, Forum, Chamber of Trade and SECTA, but the emphasis by the Mayor, Dave Bryan, that any scheme must show benefits to the rest of the town, must protect what is already going on, and be accepted by the people who live in Looe was widely accepted. 'Don't do anything in an insular way' he said, 'keep in touch with everyone else'.

Commissioner Stuart Farman spoke along similar lines, saying he was definitely for the harbour and the benefits it would bring, but only if there was a public exhibition of plans, and that what the people saw and wanted would be what they got.

There was much discussion where the outer harbour could be built, with a site at Hannafore, stretching from next to Wallace Beach around Hannafore Point and encompassing Mid Main rocks seeming the most feasible, but it was suggested it could be even larger, with a long arm stretching out to Looe Island and beyond to the Rannies. Chairman of the Looe Fisherman's Protection Association, Billy Hocking, said it could run from the Rannies down to the Hoarstone on the end of Portnaddler Bay.

However, it was agreed that nothing else could be done until a feasibility study had been prepared, together with an environmental report and survey of the sea bed. Mr John Charnock from the Chamber of Commerce gave an interesting presentation on financial aspects and Dr Ken George, whose expertise is in tides and tidal streams said he was preparing a model taking in the coastline from Seaton to Talland Bay, and that his students, who had been involved in the Brixham breakwater, would be interested to help with the Looe scheme. He was also able to report that currently, breakwater, such as Brixham's cost in the region of £12 million per 400 metres.

David Moore said from Caradon's point of view the conservation of the beach and coastline together with the upper reaches of the river would all be matters to be addressed. 'We must remember that the scheme is not just about visitors but to the people who already live here' he said. 'their environment is important'.

The main points which emerged were that the outer harbour scheme should include a marina, either small for about 50 boats or larger for up to 200 plus which would be a permanent source of income, and that at some point, a new road would have to be built.

It was reported there has been a plan for some time for the building of a new road from Portlooe to West Looe, to take the strain off the narrow and busy present road along the quay to Hannafore.

The meeting concluded that the three main advantages to Looe from the building of an outer harbour, incorporating a marina, would be that facilities would be provided for visiting yachts and the money they would bring to the town, permanent deep water for the fishing fleet who would no longer be tide tied, but would still use the river when able, and the protection of the coastline.

Mr John Pennington Hare said that visually such a scheme must be attractive because of other people's quality of life, and Mr Newton concluded by saying - 'Looe has got to grow one way or another, and the only way left is out to sea'. - VT.