WATCHET could become the Padstow of Somerset according to a new study which urges action to maximise the potential of the town's marina but casts doubt over the likely direction of the impending development of the East Quay. The Free Press has obtained a copy of the report, which has yet to be made public, looking at the feasibility of developing marine-based industries in the Watchet locality. The authors, consultants Fisher Associates, were commissioned by Somerset County Council in August as part of the Market Towns Employment Project, a partnership between the authority, West Somerset District Council and Business Link. The Watchet and Williton area is one of six 'towns' chosen to take part in the project, aimed at drawing up labour market strategies to improve skills, job opportunities and future competition. But the study, which is aimed at providing evidence to back up funding bids for European cash, raises a questionmark over what it describes as proposals for significant property development of the East Quay. The final draft of the document was completed last month, just as the district council, which owns the land, is poised to award the contract for its long awaited development in the last lap of a process begun way before the study was commissioned. And the study's conclusions are also likely to add weight to the offer put on the table by marina owner Tim Taylor, who has offered the council an undisclosed sum of money for an outline scheme for a cluster of marina-related businesses, creating around 24 jobs, and a guaranteed venue for Watchet's popular summer carnival weekend. In its summary the study states: "There is pressure for residential development of the harbour to achieve financial capital receipts and future revenue. "This could lead to compatibility issues in general, as well as stifle development of the marine industry. "It is vital that provision for the future of the marine industry is made now, while there is still time to prevent it being choked by immediate decisions regarding planning and development of the harbour." The study calls for a series of actions to maximise the revenue and employment benefits from the marine industry, including: l Upgrading the current basic facilities for boat owners l Providing the minimum 200 car parking spaces the Yacht Harbour Association considers is needed for a marina the size of Watchet. l Improving the current basic boatyard facilities to provide the required marine engineering, boat repair, rigging, electronics and chandlery services. l Increasing the number of boats visiting and berthing at the marina, with long term plans to install a lock gate on the outer wall entrance for up to 450 boats. l Regenerating the town and harbour area to make visiting, retailing, eating and drinking a pleasurable experience that could make Watchet the Padstow of Somerset. The study accepts that Watchet has a "challenging" location compared to the south coast, with a relatively poor road network. Its relative isolation could also make it more difficult for marine businesses to benefit from a wide catchment area, while the marina's maximum capacity of 250 berths - it currently has only 180 - is said to be the minimum level required to provide a viable return on investment. But the study maintains that Watchet's positive attributes - its attractive location, that it is an excellent area to visit by boat and that if it was facility-led, latent demand could be unlocked - could help it become a popular boating centre. And it predicts that if the recommendations to maximise the marina's potential are followed, up to 24 full-time and 11 part-time or seasonal jobs could be created. The businesses generating the employment would be based primarily on the East Quay, but also at the nearby paper mill site, where there is also a suggestion that land could be allocated for parking for 150 vehicles. Surveys carried out as part of the study revealed that a high number of users choose Watchet as a place to keep their boats because they live locally, find the marina operating staff friendly and like the area. Conversely, the lack of facilities and tidal restrictions were rated as the worst aspects of the marina. Investigations revealed a number of marine-related businesses willing to set up at least satellite units in Watchet, although a number of others questioned the viability. Figures in the study put the current number of marina-related jobs at 11 full-time and nine part- time, which includes professional fishermen and visiting trades. In the short term, subsidised rental facilities are suggested to attract companies. In the long term, new buildings should be provided on the East Quay but in the short term the existing boat yard buildings could be timber clad to provide a dockside appearance, while the large shed could be made into a two-storey building to provide storage for larger boats. Any residential properties developed on the site should, the study recommends, be targeted at retired people and coupled with an extended marina berth for between ten and 20 years. And the study also suggests that a popular decision would be to leave space for the carnival and similar events to take place. In the marina itself, low cost mud berths could be created to provide an alternative for Watchet Boat Owners Association members when their current deal for 40 concessionary berths expires next year. The study also backs the idea of a watersports centre in the Mineral Yard and suggests a range of ideas to improve the attractiveness of the harbour area, from building a lighthouse-style marina office and converting the current harbourmaster's office and snooker club into a restaurant and bar with outside seating.