SIR — Congratulations to whoever is responsible for the concept of the 'Watchet Star' as an alternative to the housing on the East Quay.
The potential of this imaginative scheme is enormous in the effect it would have, if implemented, on Watchet's future prosperity.
Watchet's needs are: More employment opportunities in the town; the attraction of more trade to the town and, most importantly, the need to attract more outside money to the town.
All these things are dependant on one thing - tourism, for, like it or not, Watchet's future prosperity lies in increasing its share of the tourist industry.
Bearing this consideration in mind we can compare the relative merits of the two schemes, always remembering which would best benefit the whole of Watchet.
Watchet Star:
l Has the potential to provide employment in Watchet.
l Would provide more facilities for the use of all Watchet residents.
l Would provide a unique tourist attraction bringing in many more visitors and therefore more outside money spent in the town.
l Be in sympathy with, and complementary to,the rest (existing and proposed) of the harbour area.
Housing:
l Will not create any new jobs.
l Will not attract any new visitors, in fact would probably have a detrimental affect on tourism by destroying the atmosphere of the harbour area which is what most visitors come to see and enjoy.
l Do nothing for the economy of Watchet.
l Do nothing to provide more facilities for Watchet residents.
Watchet's overwhelming and urgent need is for a major tourist attraction. This, housing will never provide. The bold and innovative Watchet Star project will.
With it Watchet could again become the busy and prosperous community it once was; without it Watchet will sink further into economic decline.
It is then up to us all as individuals, members of organisations and officials, forgetting other differences, to give this enterprising 'Watchet Star' project our full support and to make our wishes known.
N W Cotton,
Swain Street,
Watchet.