Poole Harbour Commissioners have underlined their intention to forge ahead with a controversial marina by going out to tender for a £200,000 study.

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a necessary requirement of the Port Master Plan and the commissioners hope it will answer all the questions being raised about the impact of the scheme.

Carried out by independent experts, it will take 12-15 months to complete and will consider all schemes in the draft harbour plan and their potential effects.

“The commissioners are still very much of the view we would like to progress with the Poole Marine Centre, depending on the results of the EIA,” said Jim Stewart, chief executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners.

Chairman Richard Lacey said the commissioners were unanimous in their support.

“It gives everyone, both us and the scheme’s detractors, the chance to re-appraise the schemes with the benefit of knowledge rather than speculation,” he said.

The 950-berth marina is just part of the proposed £20million to £25million marine centre which would stand off Hamworthy Park.

The development could include a new home for Poole Yacht Club as well as a cruise ship berth, workshops, small business park and education centre.

“We are very much of the view that a long term Poole Marine Centre would be a positive thing both for Poole Harbour Commissioners and for the harbour,” said Mr Stewart.

He said they had set up three-monthly meetings with the yacht club to keep them up to date.

The scientific study will cover all projects in the plan including the marine centre, cruise ship berth, quay deepening and proposed windfarm site off the Dorset coast.

It will include hydrological studies, effects on tides and silt, biodiversity, birds and marine habitats, marine archaeology as well as the need for the marina and other potential sites both in and outside the harbour.

Natural England, Borough of Poole, Crown Estates and the Marine Management Organisation will be among those consulted.

PHC’s draft plan is due to be published in the next eight weeks and will then go out for 20 weeks consultation.

A Harbour Revision Order would be needed to progress the marine centre scheme and PHC have reiterated its intention to fund it themselves, through the bank.