Plans to re-build the storm stricken Holyhead Marina have been unveiled.

Storm Emma wreaked devastating damage when it hit the marina back in March 2018 wrecking the floating breakwater, ripping up pontoons and damaging around 80 boats of which several sank.

Shortly after, Anglesey Council received £100,000 from the Welsh Government towards the cost of a clean up after polystyrene from the pontoons washed up on countless beaches.

Around 30 tonnes of the synthetic material – the weight of three-and-a-half elephants – was later recovered along with 2,750 litres of oil.

An application from marina bosses has now landed on the desk of council planners which involves a whole-scale rebuild of the marina and new sea defences to replace the former floating breakwaters.

This includes the building of a new 500 metre sea wall, offering 24-hour unrestricted access, integrating the “lessons learned” from Storm Emma and the resulting pollutants released into the sea.

At present the marina remains open for business but operates only a limited on-water facility, with a fair weather landing stage for visitors.

But under the new proposals, the marina would offer 24 hour access, not dependant on the weather,  with bosses have made clear their determination to press ahead “as quickly as possible” having already engaged with Holyhead Town Council who have shown enthusiasm for the plans.

The scoping opinion, submitted to the local authority, is only one of several permissions that are required, with developers also needing a Harbour Revision Order from the Welsh Government as well as a Marine Construction Permit from Natural Resources Wales before work can start.

The company plans to re-build the marina “as quickly as possible,” according to the report, conceding the primary sea defences can no longer be made of floating breakwaters due to the likelihood of more extreme weather events related to climate change or global warming.

“In order to protect the new marina from unsurvivable north easterly storms in future, the company has no alternative but to build a permanent sea wall within its harbour lease area,” it says, with the existing breakwater mainly protecting storms from the west.

“This will create a permanent safe harbour with 24 hour tidally unrestricted access.

“Given Holyhead’s geographically important position in the Irish Sea and its excellent road/rail link to the major population centres, this project will compound the many facilities already on offer, support the expanding customer demand and generate opportunities for satellite businesses.”

It adds: “The project accepts the conclusion of experts that floating breakwaters – of any size or design – will never survive the wave length/height experienced during Storm Emma – and therefore removes the threat of a repeat of this disaster.”

It’s expected that Anglesey Council’s planning department will respond in due course, with full planning consent to be sought at a dater date.