Heliport judicial review given green light
A High Court judge is to review Cornwall Council's decision to grant planning permission for a new heliport in Penzance.
Read a statement from the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group below:
'The Honourable Mr Justice Holgate has granted the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company permission to pursue a judicial review of Cornwall Council’s decision to grant planning permission for the heliport in February this year.
The case will now be heard in the High Court on a date to be determined. Cornwall Council is the defendant in the action, with applicant Penzance Heliport Limited listed as an interested party.
The Steamship Company believes Cornwall Council’s decision was flawed in a number of areas. It has called for an independent and evidenced-based debate about the potential impact of a heliport at Penzance and believes Land’s End Airport would be a better location for a helicopter service.
Andrew May, Chairman of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, said: “We have proudly served the Isles of Scilly for almost one hundred years and we will continue to work to secure the best long-term interests of the community.
“The judge’s decision to grant leave to pursue a judicial review is recognition that the original planning decision is worthy of further scrutiny.
“We support a return of a helicopter service, but we believe it is in the best long-term interests of the islands and its transport system to use Land’s End Airport rather than duplicate existing facilities at Penzance.
“So although we will continue to prepare for the judicial review hearing, we are actively trying to encourage and facilitate the helicopter service from Land’s End Airport and are well aware of the support that exists for it.” '