Businessmen behind the proposed Ramsey Bay marina have responded to points made at last week’s public meeting.

Some 600 people attended the meeting at the Mountain View Centre which organisers say was one of the largest public engagement events held in the island.

Ramsey Marina Ltd said the meeting was ’constructive and very helpful’ - and promised to provided regular updates on developments.

Spokesman David Dorricott said the project would be phased over several years and one of the advantages of the proposed location is that disruption can be kept to an absolute minimum.

He said: ’The site is adjacent to the existing commercial quay in Ramsey, which will permit deliveries of bulky materials very easily.

’A great proportion of the bulk materials for the breakwater can be delivered direct to site by sea. Inevitably though, there will be some disruption.’

Mr Dorricott said several questions were raised about the project’s financial soundness. He said: ’We are constantly reviewing the business model as more information and examples come to light.

’This includes the generation of value to the project from the development of properties, which in any event would occur towards the end of the project. The construction phase will not start until the project is fully-funded.’

He said extreme weather during the initial construction phase was by far the largest risk to the project but once the breakwater was established, the remaining works will take place in shelter.

He said the project cannot proceed without a lease from the government.

There are also extensive planning requirements, including a full environmental impact assessment. Parking provision will be part of planning and design.

Mr Dorricott accepted the project will result in the loss of about a third of the existing beach but said there will still be plenty of space on the beach south of Queen’s Pier for people to enjoy.

He said the breakwater will be modelled to ensure no damaging seas come over it in the event of a storm occurring at the highest Spring Tides, .