A BID to build a tidal energy lagoon stretching from Minehead to West Quantoxhead as part of a £2.4 billion project has received a "mostly positive" response. A consortium of local businessmen is behind the ambitious proposal, which would include a marina and a ferry terminal linking West Somerset and North Devon to South Wales, alongside a dock for berthing mid-sized cruise ships. The development - expected to generate electricity for around 500,000 homes - would also see the creation of a tram-like system from Doniford to Minehead and would provide more than 50 square kilometres of permanent protected water for a host of boating and tourist-based activities. And this week, LongBay SeaPower, which is behind the proposal, said it was now considering how a community indoor swimming pool could be built into the plans. The company's chief executive John Clyde-Smith said the project had sparked a mostly positive response via social media and email, along with many offers of help from industry experts. The lagoon would harness the power of the Bristol Channel, which has the second highest tidal rise and fall in the world. Mr Clyde-Smith, who outlined the details of the scheme to Minehead Chamber of Trade members last week, said some concerns had been raised about silting problems and the size of the lagoon 'wall' but overall the response had been "amazing". "We have had some negative comments about the idea of a ferry service to Wales, even though a full feasibility study of such a service has never been carried out. "Generally though the response has been good and ideas are coming in from all quarters. "One has been to incorporate more facilities for the young of the area and another has been to incorporate into the lagoon a 'wave park'. "We are investigating both of these and it could be that they are incorporated into any final design." Mr Clyde-Smith admitted that the project had also attracted some criticisms but in many cases these were based on assumptions. He said investigations to date had shown that silting within the lagoon would not be an issue and the 'wall' would be more of an embankment. "Any suggestions of a 50 metre wall or of boaters or swimmers being at risk are incorrect. "It has also been suggested that the lagoon will in fact be a 'settling pond' but anyone who saw the Somerset Levels during the recent flooding will have noticed that at times the water was anything but flat." Mr Clyde-Smith said the company wanted people to get in touch whether their views were positive or negative, and formal presentations to local town and parish councils were planned. "It has been suggested that the scheme is too much for the people of Minehead to take in. "We at LongBay SeaPower think the opposite." The company believes construction could start on the project - which would have a lifespan of 125 years - by 2018. However, it is still at a concept stage and will need a £1.6 million injection of capital to bring it to a stage where it could be considered "planning ready".