Writing to or calling Councillors is a great way to stop the proposed dredging around the Falmouth Docks. You can find out more information about the dredging and what you can do here.

Template letter

What to include in a letter and consider for a phone call or conversation

Please put this in your own words if you can - it need not be as formal or detailed as suggested below. But try not to overthink it - it is important to have registered your concern with the decision makers prior to the decision date.

Who are you writing to?

Dear Councillor / Cornwall Council Strategic planning committee,

First paragraph (suggest 5 sentences):

What are you writing about? (brief summary)

I am writing to express concern / offer feedback on the proposed works at Falmouth Docks (planning ref. PA25/01598, marine licensing ref. MLA 2025 00157).

Why are you writing to them?

I am contacting you about this issue as my local councillor / as a member of the committee who will determine Cornwall Council's decision on this application.

What is your understanding of the application? (brief summary)

I understand that the application involves dredging the sea bed in an area of the docks containing toxic substances, and construction work, to allow for a major expansion in cruise tourism, maintenance and repair facilities for military and commercial applications, and the potential for supporting the floating offshore wind industry. I also understand that the use of Falmouth Docks for floating offshore wind is yet to be confirmed.

What would you like them to do?

I ask that you represent my concerns to the decision-makers and request that the application is not approved while these concerns are unresolved / that you represent my concerns and vote against the application proceeding while these concerns are unresolved, and encourage other committee members to vote similarly.

Second paragraph (suggest 2-5 sentences):

Who are you and how will you be affected personally?

I am a local resident (where?) / local worker (where?) / local business owner (which one?) / nature lover / sea swimmer / watersports enthusiast / member of a relevant group (which one?) / person with relevant expertise (what?). If the proposal goes ahead, I will be personally affected by the impacts on the environment / impacts on health / increased cruise tourism / traffic / noise / demands on local infrastructure.

(Optionally) How will people / things you know be affected?

I am also concerned about the effects on a specific friend (who?) / group of people (who?) / part of our natural environment or cultural heritage, due to the (describe the expected effects).

(Optionally) Did you find out about this from Falmouth Docks / Cornwall Council and when?

I was informed about the proposals by Falmouth Docks / Cornwall Council on (when?).

OR

I have not been informed by Falmouth Docks or Cornwall Council about this application.

Subsequent paragraphs:

Explain what else you are sharing:

In the rest of this letter, I offer more detail on my concerns, then conclude with a summary paragraph.

Detail your concerns:

You might find it helpful to refer to the key points section below titled "Environmental", "Social" and "Economic". Note that the decision on works below the water (e.g. the dredging work) rests with the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). So it is best to focus any asks of Cornwall Council on the above water environmental issues, and the social and economic impacts. You could also ask them to represent concerns on below water issues to the MMO.

Summary paragraph:

(Optionally) Brief summary with a bit of passion / emphasis of importance and urgency

The proposed development poses real and substantial risks to our highly precious, unique and irreplaceable natural environment, sustainable fishery and local heritage, and I sincerely hope you will treat this with the care and consideration it deserves.

Repeat the ask

As I outlined earlier, please will you represent my concerns to the decision-makers and request that the application is not approved while these concerns are unresolved/ that you represent my concerns and vote against the application proceeding while these concerns are unresolved, and encourage other committee members to vote similarly.

Invite further conversation

I would be grateful if you could respond to let me know the actions you have taken or will take, and if I can support you further with these.

Signing off

Yours Faithfully / Yours Sincerely / Yours Truly / Thank you / Thank you for your consideration

Include your name

(optionally - include membership of relevant groups or details of relevant roles and expertise)

(optionally - include your address - this is necessary if writing to your MP)

Further actions

It is best if you can also submit your concerns to the Cornwall Council Planning portal, where they will be public and should also be considered by all Cornwall Council decision makers. This could simply be a copy of a letter, with personal details removed.

Cornwall Council advise that it is best if your comments are about relevant material planning considerations and not of a personal nature. If you have the time, please relate your comments to the relevant planning comments described in the table here. See the section below on Leaving a Public Comment for instructions.