DART Harbour's bid seeking Government funding for a proposed pontoon to improve landing facilities in the town has been rejected.

The Jubilee Jetty would have stretched the length of the South Embankment and would have provided extra berthing space for visiting cruise ships.

If awarded, the lottery funding would have provided extra 'walk ashore' landing facilities, available on a commercial basis.

Further benefits would have included improved facilities for visiting yachts, more dinghy berthing for local people and the ability to host events.

Harbourmaster Rob Giles said the pontoon would have also provided 'more secure berthing as well as disabled access which has never been provided in Dartmouth before'.

The pontoon would have provided a more robust berthing for larger vessels, such as cruise ships, which regularly visit the port in the summer. Mr Giles said the new pontoon would have offered 'a more welcoming and professional arrival to foreign visitors'.

If the National Lottery funding had been granted, a significant number of jobs would have also been created.

Mr Giles said: 'We looked at Dartmouth's attributes and where the revenue comes from and from that we were able to make a calculation on how many jobs could be created, which equalled a significant number.'

The rules set down for the bid meant that Dart Harbour was not allowed to publicise or consult with the public on its proposals.

Any future development in harbour however would include full public consultation before any decision is made on whether to start the project.

The recent funding bid for the jetty was no exception, but Dart Harbour's hands were tied in not being allowed to publicise the project.

The project could still go ahead if a future funding bid was successful.

'We can't rule it out in the future if the funding was available to us,' added Mr Giles.

Dart Harbour would welcome comments from the public via stakeholder groups as part of its normal consultation process.

However, the proposals were met with some objections, with some residents believing planning for a new pontoon was not necessary at this time. At this week's town council meeting, Cllr Jonathan Hawkins said: 'We, as a community, don't need any more pontoons.'

Dart Harbour was looking for money from the Big Lottery Coastal Communities Fund. The fund is designed to support the economic development of coastal communities by promoting sustainable economic groups and jobs, so people are better able to respond to the changing economic needs and opportunities of the area.

It was launched by the Government in March 2012, and set aside £23.7m to help coastal towns and villages provide training and employment opportunities for people as well as boost the economic value of the town. Successful applicants can expect to get grants of between £50,000 and £2m.

The harbour authority could not give exact details on the amount of funding it wanted but it is suggested the proposed developments would have benefitted the economic value of the town significantly.

The fund sets out clear criteria that need to be met in order for a bid to be successful.

These include: coastal communities being better able to use their assets, whether they be physical, natural, social, economic or cultural; to promote sustainable economic growth and jobs, for now and in the future; and developing partnerships to support this economic innovation, enterprise and investment.