FUNDING of Watchet's proposed £5.1 million marina this week remained uncertain even with a public inquiry into the project due to start on Tuesday.
The inquiry inspector will be told of a complicated funding package put together by West Somerset District Council in the six years since the marina was mooted.
He will hear how the council was now in a catch 22 situation with regard to £1.86 million of European grant.
The dilemma was revealed in the authority's statement of case to support its application for a Harbour Revision Order to allow the port to be closed to commercial shipping.
The council disclosed the Euro cash had yet to be formally offered via the Government Office for the South West.
It would only be confirmed once the authority signed a development agreement with marina contractors Dean and Dyball Ltd.
But such an agreement could only be concluded upon the successful outcome of the HRO application.
The money was, however, ring-fenced and could not be spent on any other project if the marina plan failed.
The situation was further complicated because the Euro fund on which the cheque would be drawn was to be wound up by the end of next month.
A formal offer letter would have to be received ahead of the fund's closure to allow the money to be put to one side and spent at a later date.
The council's statement said: "The current funding package has been assembled by a significant amount of work over an extended period.
"It is therefore vital to proceed with the HRO in order to secure the opportunity of this funding by the end of the calendar year."
The rest of the financial package included £1 million from the former Rural Development Commission, £500,000 from English Partnerships, £755,000 from the district council itself, £80,000 from Somerset County Council and £1 million from Dean and Dyball.
Details of the marina's proposed construction were also given in the statement.
It showed a 656 feet long by 16ft wide concrete retaining wall would be built within the existing harbour walls to join the eastern pier to The Esplanade.
A cill incorporating a tidal gate would be installed near the eastern end of the new wall to impound sea water and retain a permanent head of water in part of the harbour.
Tidal access to the marina would be possible for two to three hours either side of mean high water, which was similar to or an improvement on the present position.
Marina entry and exit would be via the tidal gate, which could be operated either manually or automatically.
Extra capacity would be created for up to 250 pontoon moorings for boats between 13ft and 43ft in length.
All vessels currently using the harbour would continue to be able to do so after construction was completed.
Pleasure vessels such as the Balmoral paddle steamer could be accommodated in the outer harbour.
The existing harbour slipway would be rebuilt to give access from The Esplanade and a new slipway would provide public access outside the impounding wall but within the outer harbour area.
The statement said: "The council's intention is to give harbour users the same degree of access as they presently enjoy."
Concrete would encase the eastern pier and East Wharf to a level just above the impounded water to prevent water loss through existing walls.
A rock armour breakwater would be constructed in the outer harbour in front of Market Street to reduce wave action outside the marina.
A sediment disposal pipe could be built if necessary in a trench beneath the harbour bed for silt to be pumped to a position outside the western pier.
Dredging of the inner harbour area would lower the harbour bed within the marina basin for the foundations of the impounding wall.
Part of the outer harbour might also have to be dredged to give better access to the tidal gate from the harbour entrance.
"The present scheme represents a refinement of various previous proposals," said the council.
"Its genesis has involved and results from consultation with numerous consultees.
"The council have endeavoured all along to consult with interested bodies and to listen to and accommodate their views and concerns.
"A number of objectors stated they do not think Watchet harbour should forsake its past as a commercial port.
"They object to the proposed development of the harbour area for the purposes of a marina and leisure related activities.
"The council's position is that there is no genuine practical alternative.
"It is believed and intended that a marina at Watchet will become an attractive and important staging post for boats cruising the Bristol Channel and seeking nearby short-haul destinations.
"It is anticipated visitors will be attracted from the nearby Welsh ports.
"Apart from the marina at Bristol, there are no marinas on the coast of Somerset nor on the north coast of Devon and Cornwall.
"The council are advised there will be demand from the many yacht owners based, for example, in the Midlands for whom access to this part of the north Somerset coast is relatively easy."
The authority was confident Watchet would provide an important component of a developing yachting network in and around the Bristol Channel.
It said: "Of even greater importance is the confidence of the developer/operator Dean and Dyball Ltd, whose business plan indicates the facilities should sustain sufficient income over a five year period to be self-financing."