Is bird protection plan for Falmouth Bay 'nail in the coffin' for town?

12:30pm Wednesday 14th May 2014 in Cornwall

News that the effect plans to protect three species of birds which winter in Falmouth might have on work carried out at the docks, will not be taken into account by the Government has been described as “another nail in the coffin of Falmouth’s prosperity.”

Falmouth Town Council has expressed its “disappointment” in the reply it has received from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) after it voiced its concerns over the proposed Special Protection Area which would cover an area from Falmouth Bay to St Austell Bay.

Councillors are worried that should the zone be introduced as proposed, it could impact on what work can be undertaken atFalmouth Docks and they made that point to DEFRA which has now told them, that argument will not be taken into account.

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RARE BIRD SPECIES: Concerns rare bird protection plan could be 'nail in the coffin' for Falmouth dredging

6:00am Friday 7th March 2014 in Cornwall

Concerns have been raised that plans to protect three rare birds which spend the winter in Falmouth, could prove a “nail in the coffin” for the port's future development.

Assurances have been made by Natural England, though, that the proposed Special Protection Area (pSPA) in Falmouth Bay, should not impact on plans to dredge a deep water channel into the docks.

The pSPA is currently being consulted upon with people having until April 14 to have their say on the plans. The area, which would stretch from Falmouth Bay to St Austell Bay, provides a winter home for the rare and endangered great northern diver, black-throated diver and Slavonian grebe.

Falmouth Town Council was given a presentation by two representatives from Natural England on Monday night, who said they have been working closely with Falmouth Harbour Commissioners over the proposals.

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Falmouth's Rocky the Rooster saves cyclist from nasty tumble

It could have been a rocky road for Falmouth mother Gwenda Chamberlain if Pendennis Point's resident rooster had not stepped in to save the day.

Unbeknown to Gwenda, from Mongleath Avenue, the bicycle that she was riding around Castle Drive last Friday was defective, due to a screw coming loose in the handle bars.

She was moments away from being flung head first over the top when resident rooster Rocky saved the day.

Proving he is more than a bird brained cockerel, Rocky - perhaps using an animal sixth sense - forced Gwenda to slow down as he refused to budge from the middle of the road.

As a result Gwenda was flung forward but stayed on the bike, as her handle bars gave way.

Gwenda told PPV: “Rocky wouldn't get out the road - I had to virtually stop because he wouldn't move. As I stopped I was flung forward because the screw had loosened out of my handle bars.

“If I had been going faster I would have gone over the top. If it hadn't been for Rocky I could have had a nasty accident.”

Gwenda is likely to be familiar face to Rocky, as her daughters Polly, eight, and six-year-old Ffion demand to visit him almost every weekend.

http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/10733332.Falmouth_s_Rocky_the_Rooster_saves_cyclist_from_nasty_tumble/?ref=mr