The Board of the Islands’ Partnership has today issued the following response to the proposed judicial review of Penzance Heliport:
- As the official Destination Management Organisation and strategic lead for tourism on Scilly, the Islands’ Partnership recognises the importance of Scilly’s transport system and its critical role in growing the islands’ economic prosperity and sustaining a viable community.
- We know from listening to our visitors and our 300+ members that a return of a direct helicopter service to Scilly would be welcomed by many. The Islands’ Partnership’s position remains unchanged on this – that the provision of additional capacity and resilience in our transport system is essential if the islands are to revitalise and extend its visitor economy.
- It is regrettable therefore that new investment in the islands’ transport infrastructure and services could be threatened by recent developments. The Islands’ Partnership Board is therefore greatly concerned by the latest decision to raise a legal challenge against Cornwall Council’s decision to grant permission for the new heliport in Penzance.
- However, we also recognise that the transport system as a whole has to remain viable with sufficient additional market demand to underpin both existing and any incremental new services. In turn, the islands must be prepared to rise to this challenge if we are to have the capacity to service and respond to this demand.
- We feel it imperative that a resolution can be reached which avoids long and potentially damaging legal proceedings and enables the new helicopter service to proceed. The Islands’ Partnership is committed to working with all transport operators to Scilly and an islands-wide approach to driving additional market demand that will ensure that the transport system as a whole remains viable and sustainable in the long term.
The Board of the Islands’ Partnership
Tuesday, 6th June 2017