More than 550 people are opposing plans to develop Ramsey Bay into a marina.

A group of residents, Save the Bay, believes the £100m project to build a 400-berth marina with an extended breakwater, properties, a five-star boutique hotel and piazza, would have a detrimental impact on marine life and the landscape of the town.

’We believe Ramsey Bay is a national treasure, part of our history and heritage,’ said Geoff Court, who started the group with the help of Rebecca Odessa.

’We have reached out to Ramsey Marina Ltd, in the spirit of constructive, healthy debate and they have welcomed our approach and offered to listen and provide feedback,’ he added.

The group holds meetings regularly to provide people with an opportunity to air their concerns about the possible development.

It runs a Facebook group which is open for people to share their views on the issue and acts a space for members of the public to share memories, photographs and artwork relating to the bay.

Rebecca Odessa, who lives on the promenade overlooking the bay, said: ’My personal views are that it shouldn’t be put in the bay.

’I’m not against the marina as I think that’s a great idea if that’s what the town wants.

’However, they are also planning to build 150 or so houses, which will push the sea back.

’They will have to build a huge breakwater for the houses so you wouldn’t see the horizon any more.

’Houses obviously change the infrastructure of the area and will bring in more roads and parking, which will be an issue.’

As part of her efforts within the group, Ms Odessa creates videos to highlight what species of plant and wildlife are in the bay.

One video gives information about the eelgrass, which is present in the bay, and how it can be affected by pollution and habitat destruction. She said that this is to educate residents as to what is in the bay and why it needs protecting.

’It’s a protected area - Ramsey Bay marine reserve - and was the first place in the island to be given that designation,’ Ms Odessa said.

’There’s a huge environmental concern.

’I think the bay is very beautiful and think it really needs to be thought about and people need to have their say before something like this happens.’

Group members vary in their different objections.

’People with young families want to keep it accessible for all as they had grown up playing on the beach there and want that to continue for others,’ Ms Odessa said.

’Some have issues about the environmental impact and infrastructure is a big issue for people.’

The Facebook group allows the public who want Ramsey Bay to be preserved ’to co-ordinate things and get to know each other’, she said.

You can view the group by searching ’South Beach, Ramsey - Save the Bay’ on Facebook.

Ramsey Marina Ltd has considered environmental issues and states: ’The promoters of the marina are very much aware of the Ramsey Bay Marine Conservation Area, and wish to enhance the local environmental aspects as much as possible. In building the breakwaters, a whole new marine ecosphere will be created enhancing the propagation of all sorts of fish. It is hoped that, as with some marinas in the Solent, the marina will be used to revive and propagate shellfish - including the nearly extinct Manx oyster - under the pontoons.’

A public consultation took place last month with around 600 people attending at the Mountain View Innovation Centre near Ramsey.

Link: ramseymarina.com/