Locals 'relieved' after seaweed farm plan rejected

The Marine Management Organisation's rejected the plans at Port Quin

The refusal to grant a licence for a seaweed farm off the north Cornwall coast is being hailed by the local MP as a "landmark win".

Applicants for the scheme at at Port Quin claimed there would be positive benefits to the environment and the local economy. However, campaigners strongly disagreed, saying they had concerns over the consultation process.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) rejected the plans last week, saying there were unacceptable risks to users of the sea, and insufficient evidence there would not be significant impact on the landscape, seascape and environment.

Local residents also joined MP Ben Maguire's welcoming of the decision from the MMO.

"We're just hugely, hugely relieved," says Barnaby Kay

Barnaby Kay, from the Two Bays Trust, a charity that focuses on delivering coastal conservation and mental health and wellbeing support, said: "This area is stunningly beautiful. It's too beautiful to put 3,000 buoys in.

"We're just hugely, hugely relieved. It's the right decision, and always has been the right decision.

In a post on X, Ben Maguire MP, said: "The MMO has... officially refused the application for industrial seaweed farms off a stretch of the North Cornish coast at Port Quin - a landmark win for our community.

"I've been proud to stand alongside campaigners from day one... [the] decision proves that, when North Cornwall speaks up, we get heard.

With the MMO ruling, campaigners said they were hoping they could use it to help fight proposals for other proposed seaweed farms, including one in Port Isaac in Cornwall and one in Combe Martin in Devon.