Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Sustainable development, environmental practices and the Georgian scale, which will highlight the rich cultural heritage of the 18th-century commercial capital, Falmouth, were the main interest of the Prince of Wales on his official visit to the quaint town on Thursday.

Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall were visiting the western end of the island on the second day of a three-day visit to the island.

Development plans

Keen on reintroducing the global travel market to the Georgian town, officials showcased to the Royal couple the development plans for the new historic port of Falmouth, which will receive the world's largest ship, Genesis of the Sea, in late 2009.

"He was thoroughly impressed. He addressed questions regarding sustainability and the Georgian scale of all the buildings and the streets," said Hugh Darley, president of International Design and Entertainment Associates (Idea), the company responsible for the transformation of the town.

According to Darley, the whole design would be in keeping with the current Georgian theme of Falmouth, and would feature a transportation system similar to that of San Francisco and a town rivalling that of Williamsburg in Virginia, United States.

In addition, the couple saw the restoration of the small board houses believed to have been built by the slaves, using their hard-earned money, as well as the Old Baptist Manse where Baptist Missionary William Knibb lived.

"Most of what we are doing in Falmouth is based on the prospect of restoration," noted Custos Roylan Barrett.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com