Revamped plans under spotlight again

12:13pm Wednesday 15th August 2007

Comments (9)   Have your say »

REVAMPED proposals for the regeneration of Watchet's East Wharf are to come under the spotlight once again at a public meeting of the town's new conservation society tonight, Wednesday.

Controversial plans for the £12 million scheme were put on hold in May after people attending a previous public meeting complained that the proposed building was too big; that inappropriate materials were proposed; and that the development would do little to attract tourists to the town.

It was also claimed that a proposed boat storage area in Harbour Road was unworkable.

The revised scheme is restricted to the East Wharf site and East Pier, with Harbour Road no longer part of the development. Instead, a boat storage area has been created on the wharf to the rear of the development.

Watchet Boat Museum, previously offered an alternative space in the new building, will now stay in its current building in Harbour Road.

The design still incorporates the replacement of the existing harbour master's office and Quay West Radio building.

A landscaped roof terrace will connect the marina with the platform of Watchet Station.

A bistro, meeting room, tourist information centre, offices for Watchet Town Council, commercial and retail units have all be retained.

A planning application for the scheme, a joint project between West Somerset Council and developers Urban Splash, is expected to be submitted to the council's planning committee this week.

Sam Westmacott, a founding member of the new Watchet Conservation Society, said: "The new building is worse than that proposed before.

"There's a lot of bad feeling in Watchet at the moment. Some are saying we've got to put up with the development and that if we stop this we'll end up with nothing."

Molly Quint, chairman of Watchet Chamber of Trade, said: "We want a development to go ahead as long as it is sympathetic with its surroundings.

"Timber cladding will be used on the new frontage to make it more complementary to the area."

The meeting of the conservation society takes place at the Esperanza restaurant, Market Street, Watchet starting at 7.30pm tonight, Wednesday.

What do you think of the revamped proposals? Have you say by clicking the comment button below.