WEST Somerset Council has vowed to go ahead with the demolition of the cargo shed on Watchet's East Quay despite an 11th hour protest calling for it to be saved.

Sam Westmacott said marina operator Tim Taylor still wanted to buy the shed and turn it into small business units and accused the council of throwing away an estimated £50,000 on its demolition.

"Tim Taylor had an offer last May for the shed and has again offered to buy it," she said.

"To spend £50,000 demolishing something that could be sold is an extremely bad use of council money."

The council took the decision in March to demolish the cargo shed "in the interests of public safety".

A report compiled for the authority by its in-house team of experts concluded the condition of its asbestos cladding was rapidly deteriorating and should be removed sooner rather than later.

Ms Westmacott said the marina operator had commissioned his own report on the condition of the shed and that expert had reached an entirely different view.

"We have been told the shed is structurally sound and the roof can easily be repaired; it is not a danger to life and limb," she said.

But a spokesman for West Somerset Council said the authority's decision had been based on a report written by a team "of relevant professionals".

She said: "The marina operator has been informed from the outset of the intention to demolish the shed and has been involved in the preliminary preparation.

"The council is aware of the need to work with the marina operator to allow for the works to proceed and will work with all parties to satisfactorily resolve issues that arise from this."

She said the council would be pressing ahead with demolition as soon as possible – although Ms Westmacott claimed she had managed to delay work until August.

"They were due to start this week but it's been delayed because of health and safety regulations," Ms Westmacott said.

The council spokesman said the authority was currently preparing the site for demolition, including cutting back vegetation and clearing space for a demolition crew.

She added: "Requests for postponement of the demolition have been noted. However, the demolition has been approved by the council and we expect that it will be done as soon as practicable.

"The council considers that with effective planning and co-operation of partners that the impact of the demolition on Watchet will be minimal.

"It is worth noting that where possible the shed will be dismantled as carefully as possible in order to minimise dust and noise."