A decade of campaigning over the dumping of dredged silt off Rame Head may be nearing an end.

A potential alternative dumping site to an area of sea off Whitsand Bay has been identified.

The designation of a new disposal site for dredged silt would mean an end to dumping off Rame Head.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has announced a potential new site around five and a half miles south of the Plymouth Breakwater.

The MMO has worked with the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science) to identify the ‘best’ alternative to the current dumping zone.

An assessment of the potential effects of the proposed new site on fishing, fish breeding grounds, diving, and other activities has been undertaken by Cefas, the results of which have been published online and are available to view.

Campaigners in Whitsand Bay have welcomed the move, which heralds an end to the dumping of dredged silt close to a Marine Conservation Zone.

But not everyone is happy with the proposed new disposal site; the Plymouth Marine Laboratory fears that dumping activity could affect its scientific observation buoy, and sampling carried out at various sites in Plymouth Sound.

A public consultation on the new marine disposal site will run until December 23.

To view the report visit www.gov.uk/ government/ organisations/marinemanagementorganisation