A group opposing Falmouth Harbour Commissioner's plans to create a small boat facility within Custom House Quay are to seek a judicial review and claim they have the financial backing to do so.

The commissioners announced this week that, following Cornwall Council granting permission for the 47-berth facility, they will be pressing ahead with the scheme with the aim of opening it this summer. They said the board had conducted an extensive review of the proposal giving consideration to an alternative scheme design, proposed by Shane Carr, for outside of the basin.

Chair of FHC’s board, Carrie Gilmore, said: “We are pleased to announce that the board has decided to proceed with plans to provide much needed and convenient facilities for local boat owners in Custom House Quay basin.

“Following the request from Mr Carr to the board to consider an alternative small boat scheme we conducted a thorough review of our proposal. We approached this with open minds and fully considered the alternative proposal together with a report from the chair of the independent consultative committee and the views expressed by stakeholders at an extraordinary stakeholder meeting.

“With over 80 expressions of interest for the new Custom House Quay berths already we are confident the decision to proceed is the right one and will help ensure that the basin continues to be vibrant and well used, whilst meeting local demand. The board would like to thank all those that gave up their time to share their thoughts and attend the extraordinary meeting.”

Within hours of this statement, Mr Carr revealed his intention to take the matter to judicial review. "We have already received a substantial donation to fund this and we will be starting an advertising appeal to increase awareness and assist us," he said.

"The fact is that FHC have undemocratically ridden roughshod over the will of the majority of people in Falmouth and elsewhere, who love this Quay. FHC withdrew the first planning application due to public pressure and then sneaked another one in whilst everyone was busy preparing for Christmas. This is most underhand.

"We have presented a viable alternative marina location and would use the existing quay to create a magnificent attraction as a location for the public to view historic vessels. We also want to return the fishing boats and land fish at the quay as well as sail cargo landing. This would present additional income to the FHC

"The people of Falmouth, and Cornwall should realise that, if they build this marina at the quay then it sets a precedent for developers to put marinas in other historic and beautiful harbours, such as Mousehole for instance. One of the main attractions for those who love Cornwall is its beautiful harbours. To turn them into havens of plastic tubs for the sake of money alone is shameful. Once this harbour at Custom House Quay is gone, its gone."