From Penzance Heliport Ltd - Proposal information: http://penzanceheliport.co.uk/

• Introduction
• Background
• Aims
• About
• FAQ
• Contact Us

 

Penzance Heliport Ltd.

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Images: Artist impression of Penzance Heliport / AW139 fifteen seater helicopter

Introduction

Penzance Heliport Ltd is planning to reinstate the popular scheduled helicopter service between Penzance and the Isles of Scilly.

To operate the service, it proposes to build a new heliport at Jelbert Way, Penzance near to the site of the former heliport on Eastern Green.

The helicopter service will complement existing transport services to the Isles of Scilly, re-establishing a multi-modal, weather resilient transport system to the islands. The flights will serve all the islands through St Mary’s Airport and will also restore a direct link to Tresco.

A planning application to Cornwall Council will be submitted at the end of September 2016. There will be a public exhibition between 2pm and 8pm on Thursday the 8th of September at The Acorn, Parade Street, Penzance – please do come along to learn more and ask any questions. You can also ask any questions or comment on the
proposal by emailing info@penzanceheliport.co.uk

We greatly appreciate any support for our plans and written support will be invaluable when we submit the planning application. If you’d like to be kept informed of this proposal or show your support please send us your details using the ‘contact us’ section below.

Background

 

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Image: Penzance Heliport in the 1960’s

Helicopter services to the Isles of Scilly started in 1963 from Land’s End aerodrome and relocated to Eastern Green, Penzance in 1964, where the service operated reliably and successfully until 2012. For 48 years the helicopter was a very important and profitable service. It played a significant role in the visitor economy and was the springboard for the islands’ post-war regeneration.

Since the helicopter service stopped, there has been a decline in visitor and air passenger numbers to the Isles of Scilly which has impacted both west Cornwall and the islands’ local economies. Residents, visitors and businesses have all been affected by the loss of the service and there have been calls for its reinstatement ever since.

For many years the helicopters, the fixed-wing planes and the ferry worked in harmony – the various services complemented each other and provided a resilient transport system. The new service hopes to recreate this situation and bring benefits to all the communities that it will serve through providing greater travel choice and flexibility.

Aims

 

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The primary aim of reinstating the service is to grow the overall visitor numbers to the islands by enhancing travel options for visitors, businesses and residents.

 

1. Improve transport reliability and resilience in poor weather

1. Provide easier transport for locals and visitors with limited mobility

1. Enhance customer confidence and repair reputational damage which has reduced visitor numbers to the Isles of Scilly

1. Grow overall passenger numbers to the islands by expanding the travel options, tourist season and regaining the winter market

1. Grow income, trade and both permanent and seasonal employment opportunities in west Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

1. Assist with medical transfers to reduce reliance on the emergency services for routine transfers, whilst re-instating a weather-resilient west Cornwall refuelling facility for emergency helicopters

1. Encourage private sector investment in the islands by improving infrastructure and access

1. Re-establish a truly multi-modal, resilient and customer-focused transport system in cooperation with the fixed-wing plane and ferry provider

About

 

The proposed location for building the new heliport is at Jelbert Way, near to the site of the former heliport on Eastern Green.

 

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Image: Aerial view of proposed Penzance Heliport site – Credit: Google Maps

Many sites across Cornwall have been considered for a replacement heliport. Penzance is deemed the most suitable site for many reasons, including excellent access by road and rail; established tourism offering; good infrastructure, and close proximity to the islands providing quick flight times, and affordable fares.

 

The businesses of Penzance will benefit from increased trade from users of the heliport who are likely to use local shops, restaurants and accommodation

Residents of the Isles of Scilly will benefit from easy access to facilities such as social and healthcare plus financial and professional services they require on the mainland.

 

The helicopter service will also create a number of jobs both during construction of the heliport and in the operational phase on both St Mary’s and Tresco, and in Penzance. It is expected Penzance Heliport will directly employ approximately 25 people.

The Jelbert Way site itself is also low level (only 15 feet above sea level) which has major advantages for operations and there are no environmental designations or constraints.

For many years the helicopters, the fixed-wing planes and the ferry worked in harmony – the various services complemented each other and provided a resilient transport system. The new service hopes to recreate this situation and bring benefits to all the communities that it will serve through providing greater travel choice and flexibility.

 

How will the helicopter service operate?

 

The Penzance helicopter will service St Mary’s Airport and Tresco, offering another option for travel for those wishing to visit any of the islands.

The helicopter flight paths have been carefully considered to avoid flying directly over any residential properties.

It is expected there will be a daily service operating year-round with a reduced service on Sundays. Journey time will be approximately 15 minutes from take-off to landing.

As with the former helicopter service, the number of flights per day will vary depending on the season; during the peak summer season there will be up to 17 return flights from Penzance Heliport per day between 07.30 and 19.30 with approximately one take-off at Penzance every 45 minutes. During the off-peak season, there will be fewer flights.

 

Helicopter Model

 

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Image: AW139 fifteen seater helicopter

The service will be operated using the AW139 15-seater helicopter. This is the market-leading intermediate twin-engine helicopter and is considered the benchmark for safety, performance and reliability all over the world. The AW139 is equipped with state of the art navigation systems. It has far superior performance levels and is faster and quieter compared with the previous S61 helicopters that used to service the route.

 

FAQ

Why is a helcopter service needed?

Since the helicopter service stopped in 2012, we have received extensive enquiries asking for its reinstatement. The primary aim of the re-instated helicopter service is to grow overall visitor numbers to the islands by enhancing travel options and resilience. The new service will complement existing services to the Isles of Scilly, re-establishing a multi-modal, weather resilient transport system to serve the Isles of Scilly.

Will this bring visitors into Penzance?

Yes, this is great news for the west Cornwall tourist industry. An additional service such as this, which requires people to be in Penzance to catch the flight, will ultimately mean increased numbers and trade to the town, as well as the Isles of Scilly. This will also be a year-round service so will bring additional visitors to the area during winter months when the passenger ferry is out of operation.

Have you got planning consent yet?

Plans are now being finalised and it is expected that the planning application will be submitted at the end of September. As per the planning process, the application will be publicised and a formal consultation period of three weeks will follow. The Council will then review the application and we hope to hear a decision early in 2017.

When will the helicopter service start?

If the planning application is successful the heliport will be built and a scheduled service will commence as soon as possible. The consortium is aiming for early 2018.

Will this project receive any public funding?

The project will be privately funded and will not rely on public funding.

Where will the helicopter serve?

The helicopter will serve all of the Isles of Scilly through St Mary’s airport and will also reinstate a direct link to Tresco.

Where can I find out more?

Anybody interested in the proposal is encouraged to attend a public consultation event in Penzance on Thursday 8th September in The Acorn Theatre, 2-8pm. There will also be a public consultation on St Mary’s in the Old Weslyan Chapel on Friday 16th September, 12:30-3pm. You can also contact us on info@penzanceheliport.co.uk

Why Penzance?

The consortium has assessed various other options, but Penzance is by far the best available site. There are several reasons for choosing Penzance. The site is in close proximity to the strategic road and rail networks and local amenities including accommodation, shops and services. The site’s close proximity to the islands lowers fuel costs, whilst the low level of the site has enormous benefits for weather resilience.

 

Contact Penzance Heliport Ltd.

• info@penzanceheliport.co.uk