NORTH Cornwall’s MP has hailed a ‘landmark decision’ after a controversial seaweed farm is set to be refused.

Ben Maguire, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall, has welcomed what he calls a “landmark decision” by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to refuse the application for an industrial-sized seaweed farm off the coast of Port Quin.

The proposals have been subject to vociferous opposition from locals in the area who were concerned about the impact that the scheme would have on the ecology and landscape of the North Cornwall Coast.

Mr Maguire, who has been a vocal critic of both the Port Quin and Port Isaac proposals since even before his election last July when the applications first came to light, said the refusal marked a victory for local communities and campaigners on the North Cornish Coast.

The announcement follows months of intense scrutiny, public objection, and media attention, during which time a second application - at Port Quin - was withdrawn by the developer after growing local opposition.

The proposals sparked national and local outcry due to the scale of the development, the impact on the coastline’s beauty and tourism economy, and the lack of genuine public consultation. Locals feared damage to the marine environment and restrictions on access to water for swimmers, fishermen, and surfers alike.

The news will bring a sigh of relief to residents after a number of locals have been rallying against the proposal since its initial submission.

Over the past few months Mr Maguire has raised the issue repeatedly in Parliament, met directly with DEFRA Minister Daniel Zeichner to discuss the issue, and routinely sat down with the MMO themselves, as well local campaign groups, to keep updated on progress of the applications. He also pushed for wider reform of how marine licence applications are handled, calling for proper public engagement and transparency.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Ben Maguire MP said: “This is a landmark win for our community. Local voices were ignored throughout the process, and it’s clear that the consultation process used by the MMO was simply not fit for purpose. I’m proud to have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with campaigners, and I want to thank the Two Bays Trust, the Save Port Quin and Save Port Isaac Bay groups, and the hundreds of residents who fought tirelessly to protect one of Cornwall’s most iconic coastlines.

“This decision is welcome and shows that when North Cornwall comes together its voice can be heard loud and clear. However, the battle has shown just how broken the system really is. We still need a full Commons debate on reforming the MMO’s licensing process, so no other community is left blindsided by developments of this scale.”

Local Cornwall Council candidate for the area, Rosie Moore, added: “I have been working closely with local residents and local MP Ben Maguire to make sure local people are not ignored. While this rejection is welcome news our attention now turns to the application at Tregardock Bay”.