Unlocking Exmouth - Phase 2 (October 2005) Consultation on Proposals for the Regeneration of Exmouth
Contact: Local Plans Team
e-mail: planning@eastdevon.gov.uk
"Unlocking Exmouth"
A vision of Exmouth has taken shape over a number of years.
In September 2004 East Devon District Council formed a set of proposals, based on this evolving vision, and consulted on how Exmouth could move forward. Many of the ideas which underpin the vision have been around for many years but have not been implemented due to a lack of funding, lack of support, or both. The consultation gathered the ideas together under the title 'Unlocking Exmouth' and tried to suggest ways that some of them could be delived.
The consultation generated a variety of views which have now been taken on board.
Phase 2 of the consultation focuses on the most contentious issue, the Estuary site, and also the future of the Imperial Recreation Ground.
Estuary side
The proposals for a supermarket at the estuary site were originally promoted by the business community in 1993. They were concerned that out of town shopping facilities such as Tesco were taking people away from the town centre to shop. They promoted the development of a ‘major retail food outlet’ in the town centre. In the first round of consultation there was concern about development on the estuary site. The main opposition was to the demolition of the swimming pool and sports centre and its replacement with a large supermarket. In response to this, the suggestions open for consultation involve scaled down supermarket options, options retaining the swimming pool and sports centre and a guarantee for safeguarding the history of the sports centre by using the original bricks in any new build. There are 4 options to choose from, each with its own positives and negatives. 1 is an option for ‘no changes’ and the other 3 involve retail development.
Estuary Site Option 1
No Change
Positives
• Retains existing sports centre and facilities
• Retains the open views from the car parks
• Does not require extra car parking
• Removes the fear of change
Negatives
• Increases the risk of an out of town centre supermarket development
• Increases the risk of people shopping outside of the town centre
• Keeps the poor quality & appearance of the area and estuary edge
• Marine Way is still difficult to cross or you have to use the underpass
Estuary Site Option 2
Smaller Supermarket
• 35,000 sq/ft shop floor - same as the current Tesco store on Salterton Road
Positives
• Leaves the sports centre unchanged
• Strengthens the town centre economy
• Removes the threat of an out-of-town centre supermarket
• Improves the appearance of the area
• Makes a positive gateway to the town
• New landscaped pedestrian path along the estuary edge
• Leaves space for a library and community facilities in the future
• Marine Way is easier to cross and it is easier to get to the town centre
Negatives
• The supermarket is behind the sports centre
• Some of the car parking is separated from the town centre by the supermarket
Estuary Site Option 3
Smaller Supermarket
• 25-35,000 sq/ft shop floor - smaller than the Tesco store on Salterton Road
• New sports centre facilities
• Some new and affordable housing
Positives
• Keeps the existing swimming pool
• Redevelopes the rest of the sports centre
• Strengthens the town centre economy
• Removes the threat of an out-of-town centre supermarket
• Improves the appearance of the area
• Makes a positive gateway to the town
• New landscaped pedestrian path along the estuary edge
• Provides ground floor parking below the store
Negatives
• A large part of the sports centre will not be in use whilst redevelopment takes place
• The supermarket is behind the sports centre and further from the town centre
Estuary Site Option 4
A Big Supermarket
• 40,000 sq/ft shop floor - larger than the current Tesco on Salterton Road
• A new library
• A new swimming pool & sports centre
• Some new and affordable housing
• Small shops and cafe
Positives
• Easier to get to town centre & estuary
• Strengthens the town centre economy
• Improves the appearance of the area
• Makes a positive gateway to the town
• New swimming pool & sports centre
• Imperial Road car park becomes the main shopper’s car park
• Potential for a long stay car park to help fund more community facilities
• New landscaped pedestrian path along the estuary edge
• Removes the barrier of Marine Way
Negatives
• Expensive to replace the sports centre
• Some views from car park may be lost
• Fear of impact on town centre business
The Imperial Recreation Ground
The Imperial Recreation Ground is a large grassy area behind the grounds of Exmouth Rugby Club. The site is an important recreation area giving access to the waters edge. We need to make a decision on what our priority for this area is!
Option 1
The site should be kept as open space.
World Heritage Coast and Exe Shoreline Visitor centre (The Exmouth Gateway Visitor Centre).
Exmouth is the western gateway to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and also at the head of the internationally important Exe Estuary.
Option 2
The site should be safeguarded as the potential site for a visitor centre, incorporating the themes of the Jurassic Coast, Exe Estuary wildlife and world climate change.
See recent press releases on "Unlocking Exmouth" on our News page
A copy of the agenda item detailing the draft proposals which were
considered by the District Council's Overview Committee and Executive Board is available in PDF format
by clicking here. (348KB - PDF Help)
