WATCHET Marina, one of the most ambitious and controversial developments ever in West Somerset, will be one year old later this month after its grand opening on carnival weekend last year.

When the £5.1 million marina was opened on July 28 by round-the-world yachtsman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston a new chapter was unfolding in the town's history.

But there were still those who felt the marina was a bad move seven years after the vision for the run-down harbour was first mooted.

Developers Dean and Dyball say the marina has been a success and many people in the town say business and pubs and restaurants have benefited from an influx of visitors.

But the Watchet Boat Owners' Association say interest in berths has been slower than had been expected with the prices set too high.

Dean and Dyball chairman Martin Hirst said in a press statement that he knew the marina would prove popular when 70 visiting boats turned up for the opening celebrations

"We are pleased with the number of visiting yachts and the frequency with which they return," he said.

"There has been nothing but enthusiastic support from the permanent boatholders and it is anticipated that the numbers of boats making Watchet their permanent home will increase steadily year on year.

"Additional berths have been installed in 2002 to cater for the increased demand and it is fully expected that further expansion will be required next year."

Dean and Dyball, established in 1969, have built successful marinas including Portsmouth, Southampton and two in Plymouth and bosses were confident Watchet's would also be succeed.

Mr Hirst added: "The marina has already had a very positive effect on the regeneration of the town and this will continue to develop as activity in and around the marina grows. Its contribution can be seen in many ways.

"Most obviously, there are the direct employment opportunities created by the management of the marina itself. Then there is the growth engendered by the yachtsmen's spend on related services such as boat maintenance, sails, rigging, chandlery and servicing.

"The town further benefits when the visiting yachtsmen frequent its restaurants, pubs and tea shops."

Watchet Boat Owners' Association chairman Tony James said the marina had become a major visitor attraction in Watchet and also gone some way to regenerating the town.

"I think the first year has gone well and confounded people who said it would not work. It acts as a focal point in the town and attracts people who would not normally come to Watchet.

"Pubs and restaurants have noticed the difference with one pub running out of beer on the May Day bank holiday when we had about 70 visiting boats."

Mr James said that, although some people opposed to the idea of the marina, there was no other viable alternative.

"Some did not want it but we would have all loved to still have the commercial ships still coming in. At least this way the harbour is filled rather than just being full of mud.

"However, the take-up of berths has not been so good which could be due to the fact that it is a bit overpriced. You have to pay £170 per metre which is the same as what you would pay on the south coast."

The harbour had been suffering as a port since 1993 when the local shipping company announced voluntary liquidation but it was seven years before the first brick of the marina was laid.

Dean and Dyball worked around the clock to finish on time with most of the work focusing on the 200-metre long water-tight impounding wall.

One of the opponents to the scheme during its conception was solicitor Peter Capper who was founder member of SWAMP (Sink Watchet's Awful Marina Project).

He said that, now the marina exists, it had to be a success although he said he had spoken to local businesses who had not noticed any upturn in trade.

"It has been built and now it must be a success. What has disappointed me is the low level of take-up for berths when there should be many more by now.

"I have spoken to businesses, pubs and restaurants and they have not seen any gain in the marina. It is clear that the marina has had its fair share of teething problems. There may be some who delight in these problems but I am not one of them.

"They must be solved, of course, if only because the marina cannot be allowed to fail."