CAMPAIGNERS who have helped scupper plans for a civic centre and library on a prime seafront site in Minehead called for a radical rethink of the way forward this week. Jessica Griffith, of the action group DIRECT, told West Somerset District Council's cabinet on Monday that it was time to take stock of the situation and have a hard and serious look at the future being pursued for Minehead by the council. "We desperately need some joined-up, long-term, innovative and imaginative thinking," she said. Ms Griffith said it seemed insane that the council appeared to be ploughing ahead with plans to sell the Vulcan Road car park for retail development without even waiting for the revised figures from consultants Donaldsons, who initially provided a flawed report on the need for additional retail outlets. She said any credible remodelling of the study could only conclude the end for the council's plans. "What impression are you giving to the public of your willingness to do the right thing regardless of monetary incentive?" she asked. Ms Griffith's sister Naomi, also a member of DIRECT, urged councillors to take their time and think carefully about the consequences of any decisions they took and about the opinions and beliefs of the general public. "You are elected representatives of your communities and it is your duty to do your best for them and for the wider community of West Somerset. "You need to think carefully as individuals, not just as members of a political party, about what you are doing and the decisions you make." Ms Griffith said one of the overwhelming things to come out of consultation carried out by DIRECT was the pride people had in the unique nature of Minehead and West Somerset. "Minehead is the gateway to Exmoor and as such deserves to be protected and cherished. "You can reconsider the decisions which have been made in the past and work together with the people of West Somerset to do the very best for Minehead. "Given half a chance I believe, as do numerous others, that we could make Minehead, Exmoor and West Somerset even more special and appealing to tourists and residents alike." Ms Griffith urged councillors to consult local people, who she said, had "amazing ideas and aspirations" for the town. "The people who have supported our campaign are not the vociferous, self-interested people they have been portrayed as, they are decent, hardworking and honest individuals who care deeply about Minehead and the surrounding area and want to be involved in decisions about how it moves forward. "These people will see a change in the plans at this point as a strong and positive step, not a weak one." DIRECT chairman Graham Sizer said that with the whole key sites area back in the melting pot, it was time to reflect on the perceptions of the majority of Minehead and Alcombe residents before the council made any more mistakes. Mr Sizer said the key sites strategy had flown the flag of regeneration but it appeared from DIRECT's consultation that if the council had commissioned consultants to look at ways of degenerating Minehead, a typical tourist coastal town, they would have concluded that: *The car parks closest to the seafront should be closed. *An out-of-town retail park should be built, as the most effective way of killing off a town's vibrancy. "We realise a retail developer would be the highest provider of cash to this council on the sale of the Vulcan Road car park," said Mr Sizer. "But you don't chop off an athlete's leg to help him achieve optimum weight. "Tourist developers should be asked to have an input. The income gained from the site may be less in the short term but the area's economy could greatly benefit in the medium and long term. "At least a tourist developer would look at car parking from a more sympathetic viewpoint."