TOWN councillors in Watchet have delayed a decision on whether to support ambitious plans for a new-build community sports and recreation centre for local people.

Watchet Boxing Club spokesman Frank Collinson had outlined his vision for the facility to councillors in October - hopefully partly funded from a share of a £20 million pot of cash from EDF Energy, developers behind the proposed new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point.

The scheme drew a largely positive response from councillors at the time but at their monthly meeting on Monday, they said they needed more time and more information before backing it.

Previously, Mr Collinson had suggested the new facility could be built on the site of Watchet's existing youth club in the Memorial Ground - owned by the council - which is believed to need substantial repairs.

Mr Collinson said he envisaged a building that would cater for all ages and all abilities, providing facilities for the boxing club, a gym and space that could be let out for dance clubs and functions.

He said Watchet Boxing Club, which is based at The Temple alongside public gym facilities. was willing to put £35,000 into the project.

Mr Collinson told Monday's meeting that although several potential funding organisations had been approached, he was awaiting the town's council's decision before moving the idea any further forward.

"The funding is there and the support is there and as far as Watchet youth are concerned, it could not be a better proposal."

But many councillors raised concerns that the demand for the new facility and the needs of the local community needed to be known before a firm decision could be taken.

Cllr John Irven said that while it was something Watchet needed, other sports organisations and community groups should be consulted.

He said information was needed on the demand from other groups, as well as details on a business plan and management structure.

And Cllr John Richards said he believe more research into the scheme should be undertaken.

"We are talking about a major project involving a lot of money - it has to be right."

Cllr Peter Murphy said although the general consensus was that the kind of community facility proposed would be good for Watchet, he would have difficulty in making a decision one way or the other at the moment.

Crucially, he said the council's tourism and leisure committee was still awaiting a report - expected to be available later this week - on the condition and long term viability of the youth centre building.

"It is difficult to make a decision without this background information and we do need to know what the demand is for any new facility."

Council chairman Cllr Sally de Renzy-Martin agreed.

"We need to have some indication from the community," she said.

Cllr Dave Westcott was a lone voice in calling for the council to support the new build project without further research or consultation.

He said the existing gym at The Temple was totally over subscribed.

"I think there is a big need for this," he said. "The demand is definitely there.

"I don't think we should spend the next two or three years talking about this - we should back it tonight."

Cllr Westcott said there would only be one opportunity to tap into funding as a result of any development at Hinkley Point.

"If you leave this until this time next year, you will have missed your chance."

But other councillors disagreed and said plans drawn up several years ago for a similar community building in conjunction with local Baptists - which the council subsequently paid £5,000 to buy - should be looked at.

And West Somerset Council community and development project officer Sara Morgan-Broom, who was at the meeting to talk about the EDF Energy funding pot available, said any development needed to be something that the majority of the community needed and wanted.

"I am not talking about losing all the enthusiasm but you need to bring the community with you," she said.

"This is a cracking opportunity for you to think about what you want and whether this is going to be fit for purpose going forward."

Councillors finally agreed to support the idea of a community building in principle but that the authority's tourism and leisure committee would consider the report on the youth centre building before hopefully setting up a working group involving all local community groups to look at the proposal.