Licence suspended for large-scale seaweed farm

Plans for a seaweed farm off Tregardock in Port Isaac Bay are now in doubt

A proposal for a large-scale seaweed farm off the north Cornwall coast has been halted after the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) suspended the developer's licence until February 2027.

The decision follows an internal review by the MMO into the licence granted in 2023 to Penmayne Ltd for a 110-hectare (271 acres) seaweed farm off Tregardock in Port Isaac Bay.

The MMO cited new environmental and safety concerns, including doubts over whether the proposed infrastructure could withstand the area's "energetic" waves.

Penmayne Ltd declined to comment when approached.

Campaign group Save Our Bays welcomed the decision as a "huge relief" for the local community.

The MMO said it had received advice not available at the time of the original licence approval, raising concerns about the structural integrity of the farm and the potential risk to marine life, particularly from entanglement in failed infrastructure.

"This is a huge relief for the coastal community," said Barnaby Kay, of Save Our Bays.

"We uncovered multiple issues with the application, including serious questions about the infrastructure's ability to survive in such a dynamic marine environment.

"The area is also a designated Special Area of Conservation, and the risk to marine mammals was very real."

'Tireless work'

Mr Kay added the suspension offered a "stay of execution" for the bay, preventing any immediate deployment of infrastructure and giving campaigners time to push for a full revocation of the licence.

Local Liberal Democrat MP Ben Maguire also praised the outcome, posting on social media: "I cannot thank local campaigners enough for their tireless work in representing residents' concern.

"These proposals were pushed through with next to no public consultation. Cases like this show how powerful we can be when we come together to make our voices heard."

The MMO's suspension document noted Penmayne Ltd had until February 2027 to address the concerns raised or appeal the decision.

If the company failed to do so, the licence may be permanently revoked.