PUBLIC opinion appears to favour the States further considering the ‘Little Venice’ proposals. Of 468 respondents to the Guernsey Press online and telephone vote yesterday, 63% thought it needed looking at more by deputies.

On Wednesday, Long Port unveiled its ambitious vision for the future of the eastern seaboard. It could lead to a series of islands with housing, lagoons and moorings in Belle Greve Bay, a five-star hotel and retail facilities on North Beach and thousands of underground parking spaces.

The online vote of 192 came down 72% in favour of further consideration. On the phone, 276 callers were more evenly split, with 58% backing.

Guernsey Marine Traders’ Association president Ben Mahy said the island could not stand still in a world moving forward.

‘It’s too easy for plans like this to be dismissed because they are too ambitious or too wide-ranging or maybe the local sentiment is to dismiss them as too unrealistic,’ he added.

The plans include expanded marina facilities that could cope with super-yachts.

Mr Mahy believed the proposals needed to be discussed in more detail.

He added that the average size of leisure craft was increasing and Guernsey could soon be left behind in the marine business because it did not have the facilities to cope.

‘There’s a large number of vessels between 60ft and 100ft that bypass, or just stop to refuel, and don’t stay any longer.’

Providing them with suitable facilities would be economically beneficial to the island, he said.

‘As the vessels get larger, they are more expensive to run, more to look after in upkeep – the potential for the crew to bring finance into different sectors, restaurants, bars, retail in Town grows with it.’

Mooring fees would also generate money.

‘I know from our experience we see a lot of these people in the past effectively caravanning in their boats, self-sufficient. But now they’re larger, the crew tend to have sort of a luxury holiday, visiting different restaurants, bars and shops and spending money.

‘Potentially, it could be very lucrative to the island.’