January 2012

The Gift That Keeps Giving – Torbay, in Devon, seems an unlikely place to find an Aircraft Carrier but local interests seems determined to secure the idle ARK ROYAL and have gained significant financial support (£6.5m) with plans to turn the redundant warship into a diving wreck.   The old warrior was to be stripped and then sunk.  Promoting the idea is an Exeter scrap metal company and the Falmouth shipyard with the active support of the Crown Estates and the Torbay Council.     Other proposals for the unwanted vessel have included being used as a commercial heliport in London, a nightclub and school in China (vetoed by the Prime Minister) and a fairly nebulous future as a casino in Hong Kong.   The diving wreck proposal was described by its promoters as "With our project, once she is in the water she will keep on giving."   The local Torbay Council estimate that the wreck will cost just £35,000 a year to maintain, but could make up to £30m in the first five years for the local economy.   A 125 year lease for a site off the Devon Coast has already been agreed in principal with the Crown Estate.