However, Gosport councillors confronted Berkeley Homes, saying the town would lose thousands if it missed out on the summer's yachting business.

As a result, the developer announced on June 3 that the marina would stay open.

The closure was due to rescheduling of works in the £100 million development to allow the construction of the sea defence wall, drainage and other essential infrastructure works.

According to Berkeley Homes, the closure was dictated by concerns of Health & Safety and the difficulties surrounding the provision of safe access for pedestrians and vehicles through the site during the amended construction phases.

Angus Michie, managing director of Berkeley Homes told the Portsmouth News: "We did not appreciate the strength of local feeling and the desire to keep the marina open."

In a statement from the company on June 3, Michie added: "Site safety is always our most important consideration and despite the considerable increase in costs we are incurring, I am delighted that we have been able to make secure access to the marina and that it can look forward to its first full season of operation without interruption."

This contributes to the wider economic and social regeneration of the area, which matters a great deal to Berkeley, he said.