MORE than 600 people within three days have visited Salt House to study the detailed plans for the future of West Bay.

West Dorset District Council leader Robert Gould said: "I am very grateful to all the people that have made the time to see the plans and let us know their views. I expect a similar level of interest to continue for the rest of the week.

"This consultation is a genuine process to obtain the views of the community on the proposed plans as the district council would not wish to promote a scheme that did not have broad community support. Everyone will also have the opportunity to comment on any future planning applications for this scheme.

"There will be changes to the scheme following the comments from the public. The plans for the Green area are definitely going to be re-considered as a result of people's comments so far. However, the consultation exercise has to be fully completed before we can draw any firm conclusions.

"In general, the feedback has been constructive and very helpful in taking this important scheme forward."

Maureen Jackson of the Bridport District Tourism Association and West Bay Sea Angling Group said they had been disappointed to have to wait so long for the consultation and despite a rocky start welcomed the chance for meaningful consultation.

"There was a meeting of the West Bay regeneration sub group last Thursday and at the initial presentation it seemed that there were some things that were being presented as a fait accompli that we had thought were still in the consultation process and there was concern at that."

She added that during the course of the meeting there appeared to have been a misunderstanding. "By the end of the meeting we were told that if consultation was needed it would be given longer."

The other concern, she said, was whether all the interested parties in West Bay could form themselves into a trust and apply for grants to get the multi-water sport building and angling jetty built.

Award-winning architect MJ Long prepared the designs for the proposed improvement scheme.

This includes a new building on the Mound with harbourmaster and coastguard facilities plus a restaurant, shop and public toilets.

A visitor arrival centre including toilets in West Bay Road car park is also proposed. Meetings will also be held with councillors, West Bay Steering Group and special interest groups.

If the planning application is submitted and approval given, construction could start by the end of the year.