NEWQUAY'S hopes of an £8 million economic boost have been dashed after it was overlooked as the hub for a new helicopter link to the Isles of Scilly.
British International Helicopters (BIH) told the Cornish Guardian this week that
Newquay airport is not the preferred option for a link to the Scillies.
The company confirmed it had reached an agreement with a landowner for a new heliport adjacent to the St Erth industrial estate off the A30.
The move is subject to planning permission and the successful sale of the current heliport at Eastern Green in Penzance to
Sainsbury's. But if successful, it will create a transport hub enabling passengers easy access to the helicopters from the mainline train station and the A30.
Heliport
Tony Jones, a director at BIH, said earlier media suggestions that the company would choose Newquay as its base were "simply wrong".
He said: "Our plan 'A' is to sell the heliport [in Penzance] to Sainsbury's and to move to another site reasonably close to the existing one – somewhere still in Penwith.
"We struck a deal with this new Penwith site recently, and it is our preferred option. Being based at Newquay is our plan 'B'.
"We hope planning permission will be granted for the supermarket in October, as our relocation plans depend on Sainsbury's getting the go-ahead."
Back in April 2010 the Cornish Guardian reported of a predicted £8 million cash injection into the Newquay economy, should British International Helicopters (BIH) choose to relocate flights to the Isles of Scilly from Penzance to Newquay.
Should any deal fall through, Mr Jones stated Newquay was the "second string to BIH's bow" and would be pursued to ensure the company maintains its link with St Mary's and Tresco on the Isles of Scilly.
Tony Townsend, from
Newquay Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, remained hopeful that Newquay could still play a part in the Scilly link.
He said: "The town's economy has not definitely lost anything yet, as BIH has not committed to St Erth yet.
"But by moving their headquarters to the airport, along with Cornwall Air Ambulance, shows the business developments that are being attracted to the town.
"We hope attracting these business may entice the big names like BA to consider flying to Cornwall's premier resort."