Heliport planning application 2025:
What does it mean for Mounts Bay?
Penzance Heliport is seeking to remove the planning conditions under which it currently operates - originally agreed in 2018 to protect local residents and visitors from excessive noise disturbance. The Heliport now wants to use noisier helicopters for longer hours (including all day Sunday) and to be excused any obligation to monitor noise and nuisance.
Of most concern to everyone who lives in or visits Mounts Bay is its plan for unlimited use of private helicopters for scenic flights and exclusive taxi services to Scilly.
Should the planning application be approved, any mechanism for controlling escalating nuisance will be removed (for reference, airports are exempt from noise nuisance legislation).
To make it clear, the helicopter service to the Isles of Scilly is not under threat. The proposal is largely about an unrestricted increase in helicopter activity over and around Mounts Bay.
You can view the full planning application, and make your comments, here.
What can you do?
So, what can you do? There are a number of ways to have you voice heard, and make it clear that this is not beneficial for the future of Mounts Bay. Here are some ways you can make a difference:
Comment on the planning application on the Cornwall Planning Portal, Application number PA25/04955
Email your MP Andrew George
Email your Cornwall Councillor
Email Councillors on the Southwest Planning Committee (head to useful contacts)
Encourage your friends to do the same
Download our awareness leaflet (below) and share in your local area
The current application goes against the policies outlined in the Penzance Neighbourhood Plan, recently voted in by an overwhelming 91.6%, which sets out the community vision for the future of Penzance and the surrounding area. Penzance Town Council and Ludgvan Town Council have also submitted objections, but this might not be enough – which is why we need your help.
You can find an example objection below, which you can use to draft your objection on the planning portal, or email your councillor and MP. Don’t forget, you’ll have until 5th September 2025 to submit comments on the planning portal, and 18th October 2025 to get your thoughts in to your MP and councillors, with a final decision expected on 23rd October 2025.
Below, you’ll find useful links to printable leaflets, petitions, and objection letters for more information, as well as the link to the full planning application.
Example Objection
Mr Graham Martin
Comment submitted date: Thu 14 Aug 2025
Representation on Planning Application PA25/04955 - Penzance Heliport
I request that Cornwall Council fully assess the evidence base for this application before reaching a determination. In particular, I urge the planning authority to require the applicant, Penzance Helicopters Ltd (PH), to address the following matters:
1. Demonstrated Demand
The application does not provide verifiable customer traffic data for previous years to demonstrate an objective increase in demand.
Approval should not be based solely on the operator's commercial aspirations; passenger growth claims should be substantiated by audited annual totals and load-factor data for each route and period.
2. Noise Pollution
The introduction of a third helicopter, with higher permitted noise thresholds (up to +5 dB), would materially increase cumulative noise exposure for residents and visitors.
The resulting impact from three larger or louder aircraft operating up to 17 crossings per day must be quantitatively assessed against existing noise limits, not just on an individual-flight basis but cumulatively over the operating day.
3. Carbon Emissions and Climate Policy
Increasing daily crossings by approximately 55% will proportionally raise aviation fuel use and emissions.
Cornwall Council has adopted policies to reduce the County's carbon footprint. It is difficult to reconcile this scale of increase in greenhouse gas emissions with those objectives, particularly when set against alternative transport options.
The adverse effects on public health, air quality, and wildlife from this increased activity should form part of the environmental assessment.\
4. Alternative Capacity via Scillonian IV
The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group's new vessel, Scillonian IV, is due to commence service shortly
With a per-sailing capacity 24% greater than Scillonian III, it will be able to carry approximately 29,000 more passengers per annum on the existing timetable.
This increase in ferry capacity could absorb the additional Isles of Scilly traffic without any need to alter the heliport's operational limits, making the proposed expansion unnecessary at this stage.
5. Transparency and Public Perception
I note the BBC News coverage stating that this proposal is "all but rubber-stamped" (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0eqxl37jp0o).
Given that this application is still under active consideration, such public statements risk undermining confidence in the impartiality of the planning process. I would welcome clarification from the planning officer on whether any decision-making milestones have already been reached.
Conclusion:
In light of the above, I respectfully request that Cornwall Council:
Require the applicant to supply robust, independently verifiable passenger demand data.
Undertake a comprehensive cumulative noise and emissions assessment in line with local and national policy.
Fully consider the imminent capacity increase from Scillonian IV before permitting any expansion of heliport operations.
Address public concerns regarding transparency in the determination process.
I trust these points will be taken into account in the officer's report and any committee deliberations.