THE Onion Collective, developers of Watchet’s £7 million East Quay project, on target to open in July, this week hit back at a campaign on social media which claimed that the futuristic structure ‘looks like Legoland’ is a ‘complete waste of money’ and will destroy the traditional image of the town.

But many of the hundreds of posts on social media platforms backed the project and earlier this week exchanges became so heated that one platform ended the discussion after participants began to swear and threaten each other.

In reply to mounting criticism, Onion Collective director Georgie Grant said: “We totally understand that the architecture is bold and that means mixed reactions from local people, but we hope everyone will enjoy all the opportunities and activities that happen inside the building, to which everyone is welcome.

“The contemporary nature of the architecture is an important part of celebrating our today so that in 50-100 years’ time people can see architecture in Watchet that reflects the time we live in now.”

Further support for the project came this week from Watchet Boat Owners’ Association, whose spokesman said: “We welcome the investment in a quayside development and look forward to a constructive collaboration with the Onion Collective and to make use of the facilities for social activities.”

The controversy over the development heightened this week after details were revealed of facilities which will be available on the site, including a wide range of activities for children and families and ‘accommodation pods’ on top of the structure designed for ‘adventurous travellers’.

One critic described the design as ‘a badly-stacked yard of shipping containers’ and another asked: “It looks horrible – whose four-year-old drew that?”

For the full story see this week’s West Somerset Free Press.