WATCHET could have a new £6 million state-of-the-art East Quay development open for business in two years if West Somerset Council approves a planning application which was submitted this week.
Residents will now have a chance see details of the ambitious project which is aimed to bring an extra £2.3 million tourist revenue to the town, with marina-side attractions including an art gallery, restaurant, performance spaces, craft exhibitions and self-catering accommodation.
The ground-breaking scheme plans to bring back to life the quayside area which has had a largely uncertain future ever since the end of commercial shipping in 1994.
The plans will be on display at Watchet Visitor Centre to enable the public to talk through ideas and provide feedback.
Open public meetings, including presentations by Piers Taylor, will be held on Tuesday February 6 from 6pm to 7.30pm and from 7.30pm to 9pm at Watchet Visitor Centre.
There will also be drop-in sessions at the Visitor Centre on Saturday February 3, 11am – 1pm, Monday February 5, 2pm – 4pm, Tuesday February 6, 11am – 1pm and Wednesday February 7, 7.30pm – 9pm.
Display boards showing designs for the scheme will be in the Visitor Centre from Saturday February 3 until Sunday February 11. The centre is open from 10am to 12.30 during the week.
Funding to enable concept designs to be developed through to the planning stages has been provided by the Coastal Revival Fund.