A Thriving Local Economy

Picture - Aerospace Engineering

Long Term Vision

A thriving economy is about good jobs, economic growth and revitalising communities to improve their local facilities and services for our residents now as well as for future generations.

We will deliver economic growth throughout the District, particularly in the West of the District, and regeneration, particularly in Seaton and Exmouth. We are working with these two communities to agree a vision for them which highlights their unique selling points as gateway centres to the Jurassic Coast.

We need to make sure that through the planning process, economic development benefits are balanced with environmental impacts, and there is sufficient land for business to expand. This is a particular concern in our rural areas where much of the District is covered by AONB policies that cause tensions between landscape and social and economic considerations.

We want successful sustainable communities with the right amenities delivered at the right time and we want East Devon to realise its full potential as a major sub-regional partner.

The position now and key challenges we face:

We want to prioritise and facilitate the provision of good jobs, and development that supports new business and facilities in our communities.

We have spent a number of years negotiating with regional and local agencies to bring about successful large scale developments in the West of the District:

  • a new Science Park, ‘Skypark’ Business Park,
  • the intermodal-rail freight facility and distribution centre,
  • the expansion of Exeter Airport,
  • a transport intrastructure which will include a new railway station on the Exeter to Waterloo line,
  • a passing loop to increase frequency of links to London Waterloo.  

There is a Steering Board and a Delivery Team in place and we have signed up to the ‘partnership for growth’ with Government which identifies the West of the District as a New Growth Point. This is great news for East Devon as these developments will bring a significant growth in higher paid, skilled jobs, particularly in knowledge-based industries. To achieve these benefits we still have to contend with other challenges such as making sure that the costly and complicated infrastructure to support the developments such as motorway junctions, roads, water and electricity, are delivered on time.

The East Devon Local Plan identifies redevelopment opportunities for Exmouth such as Elizabeth Hall, the Seafront, London Inn and the estuary. The Council is working with our partners to bring forward proposals for attracting private sector investment and to deliver a Gateway Visitor Centre for Exmouth.

The Council as land owner is working with developers to bring about private sector investment in Seaton to deliver a Gateway Visitor Centre and major expansion of Seaton Marshes Local Nature Reserve.

Regulation is an important part of the context in which businesses operate. It provides the platform for fair competition, giving reassurance to consumers and firms wishing to do business. As such, regulation can be a key enabler to increased economic activity.

Page last updated on 19 January 2012