MULTI-MILLION pound plans to regenerate Watchet’s East Quay have been unveiled by the Onion Collective.

The developers have unveiled the designs for the Foundry from Invisible Studio architects, which includes studio spaces, a gallery, a café or restaurant and the “iconic” Look Out Tower.

It is expected to create 20 new jobs in the Foundry building including around eight new jobs in the café/restaurant, and space for 10 artists’ and makers’ studios.

The Foundry proposal released last week said: “The East Quay Foundry in Watchet will be a lively workspace development of workshops and studios, for makers of all types from light-industrial to fine art to web-based. It will include a high quality gallery and harbourside café/restaurant.

“An iconic Look Out Tower for visitors to climb and see surpassed views, will act as a beacon bringing visitors from far afield. The development is about improving public realm space, for performances, music and all kinds of entertainment. It will be a place of activity, buzz, creativity and industry.

“The idea for a workspace tourism development at East Quay was born when a previous plan for development of 80 flats by property developer Urban Splash fell through.

“It was clear people wanted any development on that site to benefit the town and should not be solely for commercial gain for an outside developer.”

The project for the 0.7-hectare West Somerset Council-owned site is headed by four local ladies – Naomi Griffith, Jessica Prendergrast, Rachel Kelly and Georgie Grant.

Mrs Grant said: “The Visitor Centre was our first major project and aims to bring tourists into Watchet and ensure they stay in the town for longer periods because there is so much to discover here. The East Quay Foundry project is designed with jobs, enterprise and tourism in mind.

“We are undertaking consultation with a mind to submit the full planning application in January. We have been able to get this to this stage thanks to a £50k grant from the Coastal Revival Fund.

“The designers have been given the brief to come up with a distinct, playful and offbeat cultural enterprise development that is both modern but pays homage to Watchet’s history and geology.”

The plans also include two workshops, a classroom/workspace, accommodation pods, restaurant, accommodation pods and a viewing tower.

“It is hoped the tower will be the sort of attraction that will bring in visitors from further afield, and something that will really make Watchet a destination rather than a place to pass through.

“Our plan is for the tower to be a community build under the guided construction of Piers Taylor who has great success with these projects in the past – including Splash Point here in Watchet.”

The final public drop-in session on the new plans is being held at Watchet Visitor Centre on Saturday, December 3, from 11am until 3pm.