MANCHESTER-based company Urban Splash was this week revealed as the preferred company to develop Watchet's East Wharf - although the finer details of its proposals are still being kept under wraps by West Somerset District Council. As reported in last week's Free Press, members of the public will have to wait until next Saturday, December 17, at the earliest to find out exactly what is being proposed for the town. All the district council will say at this stage is that all three of the companies originally shortlisted for the project had put forward ideas for mixed developments incorporating elements of community use, employment such as retail and residential. However, the council has released photographs of a three dimensional model produced by Urban Splash to give a visual impression of their plans (pictured). The company, which has offices in Bristol and Plymouth, won the formal backing of the council's cabinet in a private session on Monday. Members followed the advice of a specially formed council project team comprising Watchet Cllrs Tony Knight, Jenny Hill and David Banks and corporate director Adrian Dyer. The group had unanimously supported Urban Splash's proposals and was particularly impressed with the company's track record nationally and its desire to work with the local community and willingness to market the development as well as construct it. All three shortlisted companies had to provide detailed business cases showing how their proposals would be financed and had to demonstrate how they would deliver the scheme. A separate bid to buy the East Wharf site from the council was also made by Watchet Harbour Marina Co Ltd - which operates the town's marina - but was not recommended for consideration by the cabinet as it was not supported by a detailed business plan. The cabinet's recommendation will now be put to members of the full council when they meet on Wednesday. If the councillors approve, Urban Splash will then be present on at least one of the two days of a public exhibition being held in the Phoenix Centre, Watchet, on Saturday, December 17 and Monday, December 19 from 10.30am to 4pm. The three-dimensional model will also be included in the exhibition, while district council staff will be on hand to answer questions and forms will be available for people to provide feedback on the proposals. The exhibition will also feature information displays and visual impressions of proposals for enhancing The Esplanade, in Watchet, a scheme which is being part-financed from the proceeds of the East Wharf development. Members of Watchet Town Council have already been given an informal presentation on the overall development and given their support to the proposals. Meanwhile, assurances have been given that work will not start on the development until at least the end of July to give the organisers of Watchet Carnival a further year to find an alternative venue for activities which have been staged on the East Quay in recent years. Cabinet members have also given the go-ahead for further work to be done on plans for enhancing the Esplanade and agreed to appoint consultants to prepare and submit a bid for European funding to meet some of the costs. For more information about the public exhibition contact the council by email at [email protected]">[email protected] or phone 01643 703704.
