A FUTURISTIC harbourside housing development at West Bay has finally got the go ahead.

Revised plans for 43 flats, two town houses, a restaurant and shops on the Old Shipyard site were approved by district councillors - despite continued opposition from the town council and some local residents.

Members of the development control west committee had rejected Wyatt Homes' original application in June after they branded it "brash and tacky".

But at their meeting yesterday there was a narrow 4-3 vote in favour of the scheme after members were shown the modified plans.

They heard that the design had been altered to incorporate Portland stone instead of render on the main building, enlarged the windows to make it lighter and done away with the unpopular curved roofs on the link buildings.

Architect Phil Easton said that the changes to the building, although quite modest, had addressed some of the main concerns. The scheme was now supported "without reservation" by advisory groups including English Heritage.

Principal area planning officer Gerald Hughes confirmed that English Heritage thought it was "a distinctive and quality design" and welcomed the amendments to the roofing treatment of the town houses.

Recommending approval Mr Hughes added: "The proposal offers an opportunity to enhance the environmental, economic and social profile of West Bay. Its design is enlivening and distinctive and it enhances the conservation area with a sculptural form that invites the eye and user of the site to enjoy."

He also reminded members of the developers' fallback position - to build a previously approved scheme described as "pastiche architecture" of the worst kind with dummy doors and windows.

This building, warned Mr Hughes, would have a "spiritless and deadening effect" on West Bay.

But the new plan was " an opportunity to achieve a far more imaginative - though not quite joyful - scheme of quality."

Bridport town council maintained its objection to the scheme which members thought was better than the original but still not good enough.

They said the building was too high, would overlook nearby homes and block out sunlight. The design would do nothing to enhance the distinctive look of the resort or its working harbour.

Tony Matthews, of the West Bay Society, also objected, warning that the five storey main building would tower over the resort, blocking out people's light.

It would condemn them to living in the equivalent of the "Black Hole of Calcutta", he warned.