Plans to reclaim 90,000 square metres of land to expand Holyhead Port have been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.

Stena Line Ports Limited is hoping that Welsh Government backed inspectors will approve the Harbour Revision Order (HRO) application which includes two separate land reclamation projects to create new quay storage and handling space as well as two new berths for vessels.

Among these is a long anticipated specialist deep-water berth for cruise ships which, according to developers, should put Holyhead in a position to welcome even more over the coming years.

In 2015 a cruise vessel carrying more than 2,500 passengers failed to dock at Holyhead’s former Anglesey Aluminium jetty due to high winds, resulting in the local economy missing out to the tune of several thousands of pounds.

The 317-metre Celebrity Silhouette was the largest vessel due at the Anglesey port that summer, and was one of more than 20 cruise ships coming to the island.

But Stena say that the development of a specialist berth is “vitally important” for the region’s economy, which is currently dependant on using Orthios’ jetty.

“The industry contributes more than £2.4m to the Welsh economy over the year, helping to spread the word around the globe about the attractions of Wales,” note the supporting documents.

“The ships currently dock at the former Anglesey Aluminium jetty (now called the Orthios jetty); however, sometime in the near future this jetty may be required for ships supporting the biomass project.

“An agreement is currently in place for Orthios to accommodate cruise calls up to 2018, with a variation in the lease to allow calls up to 2020.

“Beyond this there is a risk that without the proposed scheme, Holyhead and North Wales will lose the cruise industry business entirely. As such, a new deep-water cruise berth is vitally important.”

With cruise visits expected to increase by 5% year on year, with 83 predicted to call at Holyhead in 2022, the new facilities would include a temporary marquee to welcome visitors, as well as room for 80 coaches to transport visitors on and off the port.

In 2017 Holyhead received 43 vessels with over 20,300 passengers and a cruise tourism impact of over £2m, with cruise passengers said to contribute around £80-£100 each to the local economy.

“The proposed scheme would result in a 25% increase in cruise ship numbers per annum by 2021, equating to 25,644 additional passengers which could

lead to an increase in direct local spend of £116 million and indirect local spend of approximately £40 million over 20 years,” the supporting statement went on to say.

The Salt Island Expansion – approximately 65,750m2 of new port land made up of dredged arisings and imported material – would serve as a new multi-purpose area for freight traffic, heavy and abnormal loads, and cruise ships.

The nearby Pelham Patch development – covering another 24,250m2 – would serve as a smaller new multi-purpose berth as well as a potential security and customs facility.

The work, according to Stena, would also see the removal of the existing perimeter fencing  to reduce the  enclosed character of the area and improve views across the Old Harbour.

“Without the proposed scheme, the Port will be unable to grow and meet the future demands of its operations.

“This could lead to the Port falling behind its competitors and ultimately result in a decline in its business.

“Furthermore, if a new cruise berth is not provided, when the biomass project comes on line, this could result in a total loss of the cruise trade.”

Welcoming the development, island AM Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “These are important plans that can help grow the economic potential of the Port of Holyhead.

“There is real scope to strengthen facilities at the port, and building on the growth of the cruise sector in recent years is an important part of that.”