A LANDMARK decision to open up part of Hayle's waterways for increased leisure use is being hailed as a great boost for the town.
Sailors, rowers, canoeists and other water users are finally set to get more access to Copperhouse Pool after more than two decades of discussion.
Cornwall councillor for Hayle North John Pollard has been leading the fight to make access to the pool easier but has only recently been able to broker an agreement between all the different groups which have a stake in the site, which is part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest and an RSPB nature reserve.
Its use has been limited to organised events such as the raft race, where organisers had to request in advance that the water be impounded – trapped in the pool – for a number of days.
Mr Pollard said: "If that asset – because it is an asset – was anywhere else in the world it would be capitalised upon and at the moment it is capitalised on only by the birds and all I am saying is, 'Let's share it a bit more'."
The new agreement means people will be able to use the water for two hours either side of high tide and on the six to seven weekends each summer when the water is impounded.
Mr Pollard added: "This was prompted by approaches that I had received from groups and individuals keen to use the pool for water sports.
"This included the surf lifesaving club and a sailing school initiative that see the pool as a safe environment where training can be easily delivered."
The town's mayor, Councillor Jayne Ninnes, said the agreement was great news for the town and largely thanks to Mr Pollard's hard work.
She said: "He has worked very hard with that and is very passionate about it and he has the full support of the town council. We feel that it's great to have the town looking its absolute best when visitors come .
"Copperhouse Pool is an absolute gem; it's a jewel in our crown and it looks beautiful when it is full."
Mrs Ninnes said the impoundments would be positive for business and the town's myriad water sports clubs.
David Flumm, site manager for the RSPB reserves in Cornwall, said the body was happy to see groups using the pool "as long as the water is only kept in for a few days over the weekend".
He said the water could not be kept in for longer periods of time because there were concerns it would upset the pool's ecosystem.
So far the Hayle Harbour Authority has confirmed that the water will be impounded on the weekends of June 8 and 22, July 27 and August 24, with more yet to be confirmed.
