Cornwall Council this morning voted unanimously to approve planning permission for a new heliport in Pmenzance which will enable the vital air link to the Isles of Scilly to bereinstated.

Flights to the islands of St Mary’s and Tresco are expected to restart in spring 2018 using an AgustaWestland AW139. No operator has yet been announced.

The £2 million scheme is expected to create around 30 permanent jobs, and is located off Jelbert Way adjacent to the site of the former heliport at Eastern Green. Operations ceased in October 2012 after 48 years when the previous operator sold the site in a very controversial move to a supermarket group for retail redevelopment.

Robert Dorrien-Smith, who owns the island of Tresco and is the public face of the project, commented to Cornwall Business “Naturally, we are delighted. Today’s decision marks the start of the project that we believe will bring about a revival for the islands and dramatic improvements for their residents, businesses and visitors”

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com