GovWire

Oil fuel depots

The Oil and Pipelines Agency (OPA) is responsible for 6 Naval Oil Fuel Depots in the UK. It works on behalf of the Secretary of State for Defence. It is a statutory public corporation sponsored by the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

Thanckes Oil Fuel Depot

The site comprises, a site office, the main site area that holds 8 in use storage tanks and the jetty area, which allows delivery to and from ships.

The site is adjacent to the A374, Torpoint, Cornwall, PL11 2PG.

Jetty replacement and site upgrade

The existing Fuel Jetty is over 60 years old and is in need of replacement and updating to provide a modern facility for fuelling Royal Navy shipping. The multimillion-pound investment at the depot will ensure it continues to comply with all current standards and health and safety regulations.

We are also in the early stages of designing an upgrade for the site tank farm. This project is currently in the design phase; the construction phase is expected to be approved next year and work completed by late 2025.

Work to be carried out

Installation of a new fire main including a new water storage tank, located to ensure there is minimal impact on the skyline and a new jetty in the river with associated fuel lines and fire main and demolition of the old jetty. The site will look very similar to how it is now.

Project timescales

Work began in 2018.

The new fire main and water storage tank were commissioned in January 2022.

The new jetty is expected to be completed by March 2023.Formal handover of the new jetty is due to take place in summer 2023 and the demolition of the old jetty is also expected to be completed this summer.

Noise and disruption management

In accordance with the planning conditions a noise assessment has been completed and submitted to Cornwall County Council and we will fully comply with the councils requirements.

There will unavoidably be noise created during both construction and demolition between the normal site working hours of 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday. Piling operations have now been completed. However, additional further works are planned but these do not have the same noise levels as piling.

Appropriate noise mitigation measures will be put in place to limit impact on the local community. We will be using contractors who are members of the Considerate Constructors Scheme.

Traffic management

The majority of the new jetty construction work is complete, but the demolition of the old jetty will continue through to autumn 2023.

The movement of materials and staff to and from the site throughout the period will continue during this time. We will continue to use the construction traffic management plan work with local communities, contractors and, suppliers to minimise road congestion where possible particularly during peak times. During the old jetty demolition phase, the majority of material will be removed by sea which will increase seaward movements.

Site security

As an operationalCOMAHsite, naval asset and construction site, we have a legal and moral obligation to ensure safety and security is maintained at all times.

Community Relations team

We have a dedicated project team who are happy to answer any questions you might have. We will also be issuing project updates to our neighbours and any other interested parties.

You can contact the OPA Community Relations team by:

Telephone: 020 7420 1670

Email: info@oilandpipelines.com

Related Information

• OPA oil fuel depots
• Oil fuel depot public information notice