NEWLYN regeneration plans look set to get a long-awaited kick start with the adoption of new harbour regulations.

Eleven new commissioners are expected to be selected by Easter, when the revised Harbour Revision Order (HRO) should also come into force.

The Department for Transport has confirmed that the draft order was put out for 42-day consultation last week and the advertisement for new commissioners could be published in The Cornishman as early as next week.

The order has been considered by the Secretary of State for Transport before it replaces the former Newlyn Pier and Harbour Order from 1996. Following a meeting with the Transport minister, West Cornwall MP Andrew George warned MP Paul Clarke that many will vent their extreme irritation at his department unless the new commission is up and running as soon as possible.

He said he had been assured that adverts for new commissioners would be published within the next few weeks and a panel would be drawn up to interview applicants.

The old Harbour Commission will be dissolved and the new one created by the end of March at the latest.

Cornwall Council's fisheries officer Tony Woodhams, who has been project managing the proposed £5 million fish market, has welcomed the move.

He says he is keen to see things put back on an even keel.

"The MFA (Marine and Fisheries Agency) wasn't happy with the governance here – that's obviously not the case any more.

"If the MFA says the business case is good that's another plus. The signals are that we are moving in the right direction."

Nick Howell, of the proposed Newlyn Fishing Community Interest Company, set up to run the new fish market, said he was also pleased to see the port finally moving on.

He said: "I hope the new group will start making some decisions on which way the port should go. One of the considerations will be the market and it could be one of the first items on the agenda."

The HRO timetable will not adversely influence the consideration of the European Fisheries Fund application to the MFA for the fish market, which will be considered on February 17.

article copyright THE CORNISHMAN