Falmouth Docks Development
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-20)

Falmouth Docks Development marine licence application (MLA/2025/00157).

Case status and update – November 2025

Key facts
- Case name: Falmouth Docks Development
- Applicant name: A & P Falmouth Limited
- Marine Licence Application reference number: MLA/2025/00157
- Type of application: Construction, Dredging and Disposal
- Date received: March 2025
- Stage in process: Consultation and Reviewing Consultation Responses
- Location: Falmouth Docks, Cornwall
Case summary

A & P Falmouth Limited have submitted a Marine Licence Application (MLA) to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) for the development of Falmouth Docks.

The project is to repair aging dock infrastructure, enhancing berth capacity for alongside docking to support current business and future needs, including cruise and cargo capacity, and floating offshore wind (FLOW) market support.

Due to the nature of the project, the MLA falls under Schedule A1 of The Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2007 (EIA).

Redevelopment activities include:
- Pocket dredging berth areas for underkeel clearance for larger cruise vessels (up to Excellence class) and FLOW renewable energy devices, achieving depths of -10.5 metres Chart Datum (mCD)
- Removing foul ground within former Kings and Empire Wharves regions
- Surface skim the seabed on the site’s eastern side (to achieve depths of -5.5 mCD)
- Demolishing timber piles and infrastructure at Western Wharf
- Constructing a new suspended deck structure at Western Wharf with a deck level of +8.36 mCD
- Demolishing the Northern Arm concrete structure below seabed level and removing the gang walkway and old timber piles west of it
- Constructing a suspended deck structure (Northern Wharf) within the existing 90 metre (m) gap between Queens Wharf and Northern Arm, extending functional wharf length with a deck level of +8.36 mCD
- Upgrading Queens Wharf structure and extending its suspended deck structure 50m westward with a deck level of +8.4 mCD
- Installing a 290m deck (‘FLOW Deck’) for FLOW device facilitation, with a deck level of +8.36 mCD
- Upgrading Duchy Wharf structure to support a FLOW device with a deck level of +8.24 mCD
- Potential strengthening works to Duchy and Country Wharf piles
- Demolishing on-site buildings and reconfiguring dock activities
This summary page will be updated regularly, and further information can be found on the Public Register (https://marinelicensing.marinemanagement.org.uk/mmofox5/fox/live/MMO_PUBLIC_REGISTER) by searching for the marine licence application reference number stated above.

MMOs Role

The MMO was established by the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (MCAA 2009) to contribute to sustainable development in the marine area and to promote clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas.

The responsibilities of the MMO include the licensing of construction works, deposits and removals in English inshore and offshore waters and for Northern Ireland offshore waters by way of a marine licence. Inshore waters include any area which is submerged at mean high water spring (“MHWS”) tide. They also include the waters of every estuary, river or channel where the tide flows at MHWS tide. Waters in areas which are closed permanently or intermittently by a lock or other artificial means against the regular action of the tide are included, where seawater flows into or out from the area. To learn about the assessment process visit: The marine licence application timeline - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-marine-licence-application-timeline)

Please note the MMO does not guarantee a positive determination, and the decision is under review until the final determination is issued.

For full details of MMOs obligations as England’s marine regulator under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/23/contents), visit Marine licensing: Definitions - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/marine-licensing-definitions).

Consultation

Following receipt of the application, and the completion of technical assessments, the MMO opened consultation with the following primary advisors:
- Local MMO Office (South West marine area)
- Natural England
- Environment Agency
- Historic England
- Maritime and Coastguard Agency
- Royal Yachting Association
- Trinity House
- National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisation (NFFO)
- Cornwall Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority (CIFCA)
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas)
- Falmouth Harbour Commissioners
- Cornwall Council
- Cornwall National Landscape (Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
- Crown Estate
- Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Birds (RSPB)
- Duchy of Cornwall
- Cornwall Coastal Partnership
The full consultation period ended on 10 September 2025.

Public consultation

In line with the requirements of the EIA Regulations, the applicant confirmed that their application was advertised in two local newspapers (the Falmouth Packet and the West Briton) for two weeks.

The applicants also placed public notices at entrances around Falmouth Docks, near the site of the proposed works.

The MMO considered the placing of the adverts appropriate for the submission.

Public consultation for EIA submissions is kept open for 42 days.

Public Consultation ended on 04 September 2025.

Applicant response to consultation advice

The consultation responses were sent to the Applicant to review. The Applicant’s comments, included those in response to the Public Consultation comments, have been added to the MMO’s Public Register and, in addition, were sent to the relevant stakeholders, where required, to obtain further advice and clarification.

Consultation responses

The MMO is awaiting further stakeholder advice, which should be submitted before the end of November 2025.