THE anger of protesters fighting a harbour scheme in Penzance, Cornwall, was unleashed at a tempestuous meeting yesterday, which at one point saw the chairman threatening to walk out.

In a series of extraordinary scenes, Cornwall councillors were left in no doubt about the strength of feeling over the proposed development of the sea link to the Isles of Scilly.

John Moreland of Penzance Civic Society was one of the first on his feet and summed up the views of many of the 170 people present.

"It is probably one of the most attractive areas of Penzance and that is why we are concerned," he said to rapturous applause.

"Most of it is still intact and we are honoured to preserve it."

The summit, held at the Acorn Theatre, was a chance for residents to air their views ahead of a crunch planning meeting on Monday, also to be held in Penzance.

Members of Cornwall Council's strategic planning committee will either approve or reject the contentious "Option A", which will see a combined passenger and freight handling facility built for the Isles of Scilly ferry.

Many at the meeting made their feelings known by holding placards saying "Option A is not an option".

Fearing the development would destroy the historic Battery Rocks area, protesters want the alternative, confusingly known as "Option C", to get the green light.

This would see a passenger facility in the converted Trinity House museum near the existing pier and an out-of-town freight-handling facility.

However, a report on this alternative will not be debated by Cornwall Council's cabinet until two days after the planning meeting.

A Harbour Revision Order granted by the Government in September means that most of the work can take place under permitted development rights.

Councillors will decide on Monday matters such as sea wall alterations, without which the scheme cannot proceed.

Retired lecturer Peter Levin said it was wrong that Cornwall Council should be deciding on an application from the Route Partnership, a consortium led by the same authority.

"The consultation has been a farce. It wasn't a public consultation but a public relations exercise which misfired."

However, there was uproar when chairman Neil Plummer then tried to cut the length of Mr Levin's speech – prompting shouts of "Let him speak" and "Is it too hard for you to hear?"

Coun Plummer repeatedly tried to bring the meeting to order – before threatening to instead bring it to a hasty conclusion. Raising his voice and leaning across the table on the stage, he said: "I'm the reason you're here.

"This meeting could have been in Truro. It was me that provided you with the opportunity to speak.

"I have a list of 30 people who want to speak... now let me chair the meeting. If you carry on, I will go."

As order was restored, more people spoke on the impact to the environment, the nearby Grade ll-listed lido Jubilee Pool and the town's heritage. Only one man, the owner of a guesthouse in Penzance, piped up in support of the plan.

"My colleagues who run businesses are desperate to see facilities improved. We do not want to see Penzance turned into a maritime museum," he said.