YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Thank you for your feedback on our plans and proposals for the regeneration of Seaton.

Our recent  two-day exhibition was visited by more than 1,000 people. Many had questions and comments so the exhibition gave us an excellent opportunity to respond to these and to set the record straight on several misconceptions that people have.

I would also like to thank all those residents who kindly filled in feedback forms at the event, posted them to us later, or responded through our website. There have been many helpful suggestions as well as expressions of concern about the future.  We are very pleased with the overriding positive feedback and the kind words of support and encouragement for our proposals that we have received from so many residents.

This also perhaps gives me an opportunity to answer a few of the main issues that have been raised: the holiday village, community facilities and raising the level of the site.

Many people who attended the exhibition were surprised to find out that Hollybush, the camp owners, made a commercial decision to close the Lyme Bay Holiday Village, and that the decision to close early was not as a result of pressure by Tesco.  Because of the concern over the closure we have offered Hollybush the option to stay open for longer but they have declined.

We have offered to Seaton Town Council and to Stand Up 4 Seaton, the opportunity for the pool, the gym and the nursery to stay open until we need to raise the level of the part of the site they occupy. We have said we are happy for this to happen if someone can be found to operate the pool and gym. The current operators of the nursery are keen to continue, and we hope they will remain in operation at the site until new premises can be found

Our future plans for Seaton include an area for a 100-bedroom hotel or a new holiday park fronting on to Harbour Road, which would give visitors the modern 21st Century accommodation they currently demand. Unfortunately in the current financial climate, and until the site has been raised and is ready for development, other partner developers are unwilling to come forward, but they have expressed interest and we are continuing to talk to them.

As Seaton’s residents are now aware, the area marked for regeneration does need to be raised in accordance with guidelines set out by the Environment Agency.  Whoever develops the site - be it Tesco or anyone else – the same rules will apply.  We are looking at several options to raise the level of the site, trying to find the one which will cause the least possible disruption to the community. 

Many people have said they feel that building a superstore does not constitute regeneration.  We agree, but regeneration has to start with one part. Building the store is that first part and it will unlock the site and allow the other phases to follow.

Doing nothing is not an option, as the Seaton Regeneration Board, which includes the Town Council, has already agreed, so it is clear that your  town’s representatives want to see regeneration of the site sooner rather than later.  If we are successful with our planning application, we would like to start the redevelopment as soon as possible, so that residents and visitors can start to benefit from the improvements it will undoubtedly bring.

We are still receiving and processing feedback forms and emails, but we are very pleased with the initial analysis that indicates the majority of residents are in favour of our proposals.  This is not, of course, a public vote, but is our chance to listen to the community and to make sure we get this important development right. Please continue to let us have your comments and feedback, as it is often the case that only a small part of a community’s voice is really heard. We are also still talking to many of the groups and organisations in Seaton, including the Tram Company, the Visitor Centre Trust, and others, because we want this regeneration to produce the best possible results for the community. Once we have processed all the feedback, it will form part of our planning application to the Council.

We appreciate that this is a very important project for Seaton & the surrounding villages, & it is essential for us to ensure that our future neighbours & customers will be proud of what we have achieved for the town.

Melanie Chiswell
Corporate Afairs Manager