Cornwall Council has agreed to consider alternative options for the multi-million pound development of a sea link between Penzance and the Isles of Scilly, following opposition from local residents.

The scheme is being led by a Route Partnership, which was formed in 2003 comprising Cornwall County Council, the Council of the Isles of Scilly, Penwith District Council and the Duchy of Cornwall.

Proposals include the construction of a new passenger and freight terminal building as part of the redevelopment and extension of Penzance Harbour's existing facilities, which would have incorporated the site of the town's Battery Rocks beach.

However, representatives of the Route Partnership have now secured £28,000 to draw up alternative options after meeting with local opposition group Friends of Penzance Harbour, which was chaired by St Ives MP, Andrew George.

George said: "This is a positive step forward. Both the Route Partnership and the Friends of Penzance Harbour have agreed to work together in support of a substantial but rapid first examination of the alternatives.

"In the meantime, the current planning application for the development of the harbour to the south is currently going through routine planning procedure for determination in a couple of months time. Equally, the Friends of Penzance Harbour will continue to vigourously oppose those plans."