Penzance car park plans attacked by commerce chairman

A London-based company, wants to develop the main car park in Penzance

Plans for a supermarket, restaurants and flats on a large sea front car park in west Cornwall have been criticised by a business leader.

London-based Olympian Homes wants to develop the Wharfside car park at Penzance.

But Mike Waters, of Penzance chamber of commerce, said the car park was too important to lose.

Cornwall Council said no decision had been made and has promised full consultation with residents.

The car park currently has space for more than 700 cars.

Mr Waters said: ""We rely on the tourist industry and we haven't got a coach park.

"The majority of people come to Penzance in their car and the first car park you hit is Wharfside.

"It's vital to the economy of the town. We cannot afford to lose it."

The car park is opposite the Wharfside shopping centre whose management said it had a long-term agreement with the car park's owners that space must be available for at least 500 cars.

There are also claims the helicopter link with the Isle of Scilly could be at risk if a new supermarket on the Wharfside car park goes ahead.

Mr Waters said it could jeopardise a plan by Sainsbury's to buy the current heliport in Penzance, a deal which he said was crucial to British International Helicopters.

"BIH needs to sell the heliport to generate funds to keep flying. Our fear is that if the sale of heliport land doesn't go through to Sainsbury's then the helicopter link to Scilly is jeopardised."

Olympian Homes has not so far commented on the issue.