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The fight against the Port Galots development has already overwhelmed the Planning system – now it has a huge high-profile backer in TV presenter and campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.
He has urged the developers who are planning to build a “maritime hub” at the harbour to modify their plans to protect local fishing fleets, after learning about the high-profile campaign to stop the development by Vicky Boarder of the Fresh Fish Company.
She has been so successful in galvanising support that more than 1,300 Islanders have already written to Planning to give their views – so many that the department had to abandon their normal policy of responding in writing to each letter they get.
In a letter of support published on Facebook, Hugh – a family friend of the owners of the Fresh Fish Company – said: “I’ve been following the developments at The Fresh Fish Company with interest.
“Although this is not directly concerned with the EU and UK Government fishing policies I’ve been campaigning about, I would say this: local fishing fleets, particularly those who are fishing using low impact, sustainable methods, need all the help they can get right now.
“So if this development could be modified to protect their interests, it would surely be of lasting benefit to the local fishing fleet, and therefore the local community."
A project team who have been working as a public-private partnership submitted plans for Port Galots last month. If approved, work could start next year to create the new maritime centre that will include 18 two-bed flats, a restaurant and office space on the harbour edge at the foot of Mount Bingham.
But that’s only if the plans are passed – already thousands of people have signed a petition against the development, and almost 9,000 people viewed a Facebook video made by Vicky Boarder and Louis Jackson from the Fresh Fish Company who don't want to see flats built on the site because of the effect it will have on their fish shop business and the local area.
Vicky said: “We’re delighted, Hugh understands that this little corner of the harbour is a community and understands how important it is to conserve it.”
She added that she would be trying to get some national exposure for the campaign.
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