WATCHET Marina developers Dean and Dyball have agreed to study plans to dry-dock a 250ft ocean liner on the East Quay.

Dean and Dyball are currently planning to build around 18 houses but marina project manager Guy Hardacre has agreed to look into the Watchet Star Project as an alternative.

The developers held a site meeting on Monday with solicitor Peter Capper, who came up with the ambitious idea.

Artists' drawings and a business plan, prepared by Mr Capper and his team of professional townspeople, were presented to Dean and Dyball bosses.

If the £1.4 million liner goes ahead, it would feature a swimming pool, gym, cinema and sauna and house luxury cabins for marina berth holders.

A Dean and Dyball spokesman said they were taking the Watchet Star project "very seriously".

Mr Capper said: "We presented the concept to Dean and Dyball on their request. They had heard about the idea and they wrote to us asking for a meeting.

"We gave them some figures and numbers and the architect was there, but they were interested in the concept and have taken it away to consider it."

Mr Capper said that the second consultation he held with the people of Watchet went well. He said some residents did have a few reservations, but it was still at an early stage.

l Dean and Dyball were accused this week of cost-cutting and of going back on their word over plans for the harbour.

With construction underway on the £5.1 million project, Dean and Dyball and West Somerset District Council were also alleged to have kept their ideas hidden from the public.

Cllr Tony Bowden complained of proposals to develop the old harbour master's office without public consultation.

West Somerset District Council is pondering what to do with Quay West Radio's base on the East Quay as the station's contract ends next March and it will be moving on.

Other concerns voiced by vice-chairman Cllr John Richards included the decision by Dean and Dyball not to employ a 24-hour security guard to protect the marina and boats from vandals and thieves.

Cllr Bowden said: "I have always said that any development of this very important area should have the support of the majority of the people in the town.

"I am astounded that due to financial implications the developers are thinking of using these old buildings as the start of the grand vision."

Cllr Bowden said the developers promised that before work started a full consultation would be held with the people of the town.

Cllr Richards, a Watchet marina advisory committee member, was recently at public meeting and was "astounded" at a statement made by Peter Cross, who was representing Dean and Dyball.

Cllr Richards said: "Firstly he clearly stated that there was never any commitment from Dean and Dyball Ltd to provide any community facilities whatsoever within the East Wharf development, totally contrary to what the public were led to believe through all the consultations.

"Is this perhaps another cost- cutting exercise?

"Secondly he stated there would be no 24-hour security guard on the site, it would be unnecessary. Yet another cost cutting exercise to the detriment of Watchet."

However, at a previous Watchet Regeneration Partnership meeting, Dean and Dyball were recorded as saying the opposite.

They were questioned over security and said there would be 24-hour cover for the marina and for other matters such as securing loose boats or lanyards.

District council spokesman Norman Staples this week denied that plans for the harbour master's and radio station's office had gone ahead.

"There is a possibility of converting the building into some other use, but we don't have any firm plans of what we might do.

"The council's technical project officer Kelvin Rufus has been consulting various groups and talking to people to see what the options are.

"He has taken on board the views for possible harbour usage but, as for the structure and design, that is in the future because planning permission has to be applied for."

Mr Staples said that, to the best of his knowledge, the building was structurally sound so the council might consider converting it rather than tearing it down and rebuilding it.

Mr Hardacre was unavailable for comment yesterday.