Relocation of helicopter link service will be 'a disaster'
The axe has fallen on helicopter services from Penzance to the Isles of Scilly in a move described as a "disaster" for both ends of the link.
Operators British International Helicopters (BIH) yesterday said it would be operating from its heliport base in Penzance up until the end of October.
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However, after that date, the company has confirmed that the mainland terminal will be "permanently" relocated to Newquay Airport.
Dick Cliffe, vice-chairman of Penzance Chamber of Commence, said he was shocked.
"It represents our worst fears," he said. "We have been very worried about the future of the service, but we hoped that it would work out.
" To relocate from Penzance will be a disaster for the town and a disaster for the Isles of Scilly."
Marion Bennett, vice-chairman of the Council of the Isles of Scilly, echoed his sentiments.
She said it would be a huge "disappointment" for islanders, adding: "I would really hope that a way can be found to continue operating this service from Penzance. I believe this would be the best solution for Penzance and for the islands."
BIH has been struggling to find a long term home for a number of years.
In 2008, the company announced it was to sell its heliport, adjacent to the A30, and move to Land's End Aerodrome – a plan dropped amid a wave of protests.
Last year, the firm unveiled a scheme for a new heliport near to St Erth station.
The proposal was withdrawn in the wake of sweeping protests.
In the meantime, the company sold its land to supermarket giant Sainsbury's, who last year obtained planning permission for a new store.
After lengthy negotiations with its new landlords, BIH yesterday said it would continue to operate from its Penzance heliport until October 31, adding that "thereafter" the service would run fromNewquay Airport.
When asked to clarify if the service would move in its entirety and for good to Newquay, with no more plans for a new heliport in the pipeline, a spokesman for BIH said this was "correct" and "at the end of the 2012 season, the service will be permanently relocating to Newquay."
Tony Jones, managing director of BIH, said he was delighted that Sainsbury's had consented to allow the service to operate from Penzance until the end of the summer season.
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by buzzzz
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 9:07AM
“Don't all start moaning about the loss to the area because you all had your chance to keep it. Negotiations were held for two new areas but at the time you all suffered from 'not in my backyard' syndrome.
A financial loss to the area which would have been down to a few nimbies with nothing better to do than moan for moanings sake.”
by chuckjaeger
Monday, January 30 2012, 11:37PM
“Does the moving of this service also mean that BIH will be eligible for tax breaks as they are now in an 'Enterprise Zone'?
If so this could have a big impact on their thinking.”
by TheodoreV
Monday, January 30 2012, 8:40PM
“We wait with bated breath for the next phase of this BIH saga. Companies manipulate the planning system and local communities to their advantage. This is hardly laudable but understandable. Business and local government have always been close bedfellows. What is different is that local government has ceased being "local" and independent business has thus lost interest in getting involved. The landscape has changed fundamentally, with large national and international firms gradually taking over. The consequence is that there is a disconnect between locality and locals. Despite government promises to the contrary, people have been effectively disenfranchised. The BIH/Sainsbury proposal has been effectively a commercial pincer movement, in which locals have been bamboozled and outwitted to pursue their own economic interest. It is difficult to see how the move to Newquay can make economic sense for BIH, so we wait to see how long it will be before it returns to make an application for another greenfield site (thus circumventing the normal planning restrictions and banking the resultant differential land value) or alternatively going bust.”
by Slimslad
Monday, January 30 2012, 7:57PM
“Nice one, t2002!
No long trip down from Newquay to Penzance.”
by IMSofPZ
Monday, January 30 2012, 7:00PM
“Fares from http://tinyurl.com/7ylo5sm”