TV stars weigh in on seaweed farm debate

Martin Clunes and Andrew Lincoln have objected to plans for a seaweed farm

Doc Martin star Martin Clunes and Walking Dead star Andrew Lincoln have objected to the latest seaweed farm plan in Cornwall.

Biome Algae Ltd and Camel Fish have applied to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to grow seaweed on two adjacent 50-hectare (124 acre) sites, totalling size of 180 football fields, at Port Quin, near Port Isaac.

They say the seaweed will be native to the UK and grown to provide food, low-carbon animal feed and fertiliser alternatives and biomaterials to replace single-use plastic and take away cartons.

Objectors say the farm is too big and will impact wildlife and fishing activity in the bay.

Port Quin is near to Port Isaac where the TV show Doc Martin was filmed

Clunes told the BBC: "It seems as if this has just been waved through with no environmental impact study and absolutely no consultation."

Lincoln, who is is a regular visitor to the area, released a statement saying: "I’m amazed that an idea as dreadful as this has made it far enough to make any protest necessary.”

He said the plan was "nothing short of a disaster for our coastline, our local communities and will no doubt have serious reprecussions for tourism".

In their own statement Biome and Camel Fish said their intentions were not to harm the marine environment.

They said: "We will add positively to the local economy, provide career opportunities and support education.

"It has been demonstrated that sustainable seaweed farming helps restore our marine environments.”

The application on the MMO consultation document does not include an environmental impact assessment.

The application on the MMO consultation document does not include an environmental impact assessment

The MMO said marine licensing decisions were made based on the best available scientific evidence and considered any potential impacts of proposed works on the marine environment.

Local resident Rory Colborne is against the plans.

"There's said to be around 2,000 buoys, some of which will be lit up," he said.

Local resident Rory Colborne is objecting to the plans

It's not the first application that Biome Algae have made, in January the company withdrew an application for a similar site near Gerrans on the Roseland after local opposition.

At the time, the company said it was "important" to have the support of local communities around Gerrans Bay, adding: "As a result we will respectfully withdraw our applications."

A consultation on the plans at Port Quin ends on 14 March.