CAMPAIGNERS fighting a controversial scheme to breathe new life into Watchet's derelict East Quay have pulled plans to force a referendum on the issue after it emerged the scheme is being reconsidered. West Somerset Council, which owns the site, and Urban Splash, the chosen developers, announced this week that certain elements of the proposed £12 million development were being reappraised. The re-think - believed to focus in part on the concerns raised about the suggested use of the Harbour Road car park for boat storage and repairs and the conversion of the current boat museum to a workshop - led a group of local residents calling for a referendum to cancel a planned public meeting last night (Thursday). Spokesman Sam Westmacott said the signatories to the meeting, at which it was expected the necessary support for the referendum from ten local electors would have been forthcoming, had discussed the news that the design plans were being reappraised. "We are delighted and in order to avoid wasting time and money we will not hold the meeting to call for a referendum," said Ms Westmacott. "Once the new plans are published, which we are told will be within two weeks, if we discover that people of Watchet still have concerns which are not being met, we will continue with the referendum." Urban Splash has put forward a scheme which would see the construction of 86 apartments with underground parking and a mix of commercial outlets, a bistro and community space. Ms Westmacott said the company had been effectively "caught with their pants down" by objectors. "Both Urban Splash and West Somerset Council have realised that they have got it somewhat wrong." However, the council has made it clear that the reappraisal only might, or could, result in revised drawings being submitted and only in relation to certain elements, the practical impact of which had caused some concerns. And the authority has also emphasised that any changes would need to pass a financial reappraisal to ensure the viability of the overall scheme. The results of the re-think are likely to be discussed in the first instance with some of the major stakeholders, such as marina operator Tim Taylor, the Watchet Boat Owners Association, the Watchet Boat Museum and the West Somerset Railway. All of these have already expressed concerns and raised various objections to the scheme in its current form. Meetings between the council, Urban Splash, the council and some of the stakeholders have been held within the last fortnight, brokered largely by local councillor Tony Knight. Cllr Knight said: "There has already been extensive consultation regarding the development and we feel it should be recognised that even at this late stage we are still willing to listen to ideas that may further improve the viability of the scheme. "We have been disappointed because it appears that misleading information regarding the development has been circulated. "However, recent discussions have been able to allay some of the misconceptions. "It's positive for the project that the council and Urban Splash are continuing to consult with us and other stakeholders over the various issues raised." The council's corporate director Adrian Dyer said the authority had always said that consultation with the public and stakeholders was an ongoing process. "We've had some constructive meetings in recent weeks and we're going to take some time out to consider new information that's come forward," said Mr Dyer. "The planning application will not be put to the planning committee for determination before the end of June at the earliest, which will give us time to reappraise certain elements if it proves to be in the best interests of the public, marina users and the development itself." Cllr Tony Knight told Watchet Town Council on Monday night that he and fellow district councillors Jenny Hill and Dave Westcott, along with David Banks, who lost his seat on the authority at the recent elections, were committed to bringing a satisfactory conclusion to the development of the East Quay. He said that in recent weeks they had all had slight concerns about certain aspects of the proposals, which was why they had instigated discussions between various stakeholders. "Serious discussions are ongoing and amendments could be made in the next couple of weeks that could be of benefit to all of Watchet." Cllr Knight said he had concerns about the possibility of holding a referendum because it would have no binding influence on the planning process. And he reminded the town council that it - and ultimately the ratepayers of Watchet - would have to foot the bill for any local poll, which has been estimated at around £2,000. Cllr Knight said a number of residents had told him that they would boycott any ballot and would not vote. "Would a referendum prove anything?" he asked. "It would rip the heart out of this town and pull people apart. We should be united to produce something not just for today but for the future. "I have been doing my best for the good of Watchet, as have Cllrs Banks and Hill and as I am sure Cllr Westcott will."