THREE organisations in Watchet have joined forces to demonstrate their support for a £5.1 million marina plan for the town.

Committee members of the three bodies met for the first time last week to form a joint working group.

It included Watchet Boat Owners' Association chairman Tony James, who has asked West Somerset District Council if it will pay him to work as a marina project publicity officer.

The two other organisations represented were Watchet Charter Boatman's Association and Watchet Association of Commerce, Environment and Tourism.

However, some members later contacted the Free Press to distance themselves from the decision.

The move came ahead of a public inquiry into a district council application for a Harbour Revision Order.

The order would allow use of the town's harbour to be changed from commercial shipping to the leisure, marine and yachting industry.

A Government inspector is due to open a three-day inquiry in Watchet Baptist Church on Tuesday to examine the arguments for and against the project.

However, the hearing could be delayed after it was revealed last week that the council refused to include a proposed East Quay housing development in the inquiry remit.

The council wanted the housing issue to be decided separately by councillors sitting on its own planning committee.

The marina could not be built without £1.5 million of funds available only if housing was approved.

Anti-marina campaign SWAMP has also threatened a legal challenge to the omission and was this week awaiting a ruling by the inspector.

SWAMP co-ordinator Rodney Cole said: "In every one of the inquiry proofs of evidence the East Quay is mentioned, so how can it not be referred to in the inquiry itself?

"If the inspector rules in our favour, it makes it virtually impossible for the council to put their case and that would mean the inquiry would have to be delayed.

"I would have thought it would mean a postponement until the New Year, but the council have already said the money runs out on December 31."

Mr Cole said a decision in the council's favour would make it almost as difficult for SWAMP to put its arguments against the marina.

"Obviously, a large part of our case would not be allowed to go ahead and that would go against natural justice and form the basis of an appeal," said Mr Cole.

Boat owners' association secretary Roger Vincent said the idea of the new group was "to demonstrate united local support" for the marina plan.

Mr Vincent said: "We believe the speedy and successful completion of these proposals is important for the future prosperity of Watchet."

He said the working group wanted the inspector to be aware of support expressed for the marina by the three individual organisations.

The group represented some of the local people who were most closely involved in and affected by the harbour plans.

"We believe construction of a marina in the harbour and associated use of East Wharf will be a positive and beneficial project," said Mr Vincent.

"It will bring new life to the harbour and its surroundings, provide a catalyst for the regeneration of the centre of the town, and bring renewed prosperity to the whole area."