The long-awaited hydrographic survey of Mount's Bay will begin in the Spring. Ian George, of Hyder, the company contracted to carry out the work, told Thursday's meeting of Penzance Area Forum that equipment will arrive on site during April and the final report will be presented to the forum and local authorities by October.

He said that high-tech equipment will be set up on the Promenade, at Penzance and Newlyn harbours and aboard barges and survey craft in the bay.

The company's divers, engineers and biologists will be measuring wave and tide movements, examining the sea bed and the current state of harbour walls and the Promenade.

He said that they would be examining reports already compiled during South West Water's Clean Sweep programme and by the local harbour authorities.

"We will also be looking at the bird population and shellfish beds and assessing any impact the proposed development of Penzance and Newlyn harbours, might have on these," he said.

"Any future construction will be very expensive. We are looking at around £23.1 million for the harbour proposals alone."

He said the company would be looking at ways of restoring and protecting the Promenade, including the possibility of an off-shore reef, rock armour or the raising of the defence topping.

"We fully appreciate that the raising of the defence topping would be contentious as it would restrict views and I am not sure how effective such a measure would be," he said.

"Another option is to create a stepped concrete toe at the base of the Promenade wall or a sloped beach."

He said that it was possible material from the separate, un-related Port Penlee development could be used to infill the area in front of the Tolcarne Inn to create a base for a new harbourfront area and fish market facilities.

"Reclamation is expensive and we are looking at spending £30 million on proposals for the South and North piers at Newlyn," he said.

One member of the public suggested the Scillionian should be moved to Newlyn Harbour so that money could be saved on the proposed new embarkation facilities at Penzance harbour.

But Mr George said that this was "unrealistic" as the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company was committed to Penzance which had the necessary infrastructure for the Scillonian's operations.

Members of the public expressed concern at the meeting that public finance would be used to fund the Port Penlee project at Newlyn.

"No public money is going into the Port Penlee development, although they are funding us to carry out surveys for them," said Mr George.

"And we are not able to say at this stage exactly what is possible and what isn't. We have to wait for all the surveys to be carried out and then bring our findings and recommendations to the public."

He said that a projects office will be open in the Westcott Buildings in Bread street each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (10-5pm). The website was www.pnpteam.com

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