£2.1m Restoration Begins on Polperro’s Historic Prince of Wales Pier

Major Funding Secured to Protect Polperro Harbour

A £2.1 million restoration project to revitalise Polperro’s Prince of Wales Pier is now underway, following significant funding from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme. The pier, originally built in 1862, plays a crucial role in shielding Polperro’s inner harbour, safeguarding the local fishing community and businesses from storm damage.

The project has secured £1.4 million from the Good Growth Programme, managed by Cornwall Council and funded through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. Additional contributions include £450,000 from the Environment Agency, £49,000 from the South West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee Local Levy, and £55,000 from the Polperro Harbour Trust, which owns the pier and is overseeing the restoration work.

Essential Repairs to Begin Immediately

The pier, also known as the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall Pier, has suffered extensive storm damage over the years and is in desperate need of repair. Restoration efforts will focus on strengthening the existing structure and constructing a concrete jacket on the seaward faces for added protection. The project is expected to be completed by Spring 2025.

Peter Hickey, chair of the Polperro Harbour Trust, expressed the trustees’ satisfaction with the funding secured and their commitment to seeing the project through to a successful conclusion. Regular updates will be posted on the Polperro Harbour Trust website, which also features details of the ongoing fundraising campaign to replenish the Trust’s emergency reserve fund used for initial expenses.

Local and Government Support for the Project

Cllr Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for the economy, highlighted the importance of the project, saying, “This significant investment from the Good Growth Programme ensures the preservation of Polperro’s historic inner harbour, a cornerstone of our maritime heritage and a vital part of the local economy.”

Local Cornwall Councillor Jim Candy praised the persistence of Peter Hickey and the Harbour Trustees in securing the funding package, and acknowledged the contributions of other local councillors in the process.

South East Cornwall MP Anna Gelderd also welcomed the start of the project, stating, “By restoring and enhancing coastal defences, we are preserving not only our harbour, but also our heritage for future generations.”

Construction and Community Impact

The main contractor, Teignmouth Maritime Services Ltd (TMS), will manage the restoration, with design and supervision by Binnies Civil Engineers and support from James Lockyer Associates. Construction activities will cause some disruption around the harbour, with working platforms erected adjacent to the pier and in the inner harbour. Equipment and materials will be delivered by sea and through the village, minimising the impact on the community.

The Good Growth Programme has also contributed £122,000 towards the Polperro Big Green project, which is transforming an underused space in the village into a community hub.

For more information on the Good Growth Programme and its investments across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, visit ciosgoodgrowth.com.

📷The entrance to the historic fishing harbour of Polperro on a beautiful summer day, Cornwall, England, Uk.