Proposals have been lodged with East Devon District Council for the second phase of the Sideshore development on Exmouth seafront. 

The Sideshore development has become a prominent location in Queen’s Drive since its construction and the second phase involves a new small-scale flexible office/community hub and public toilets on a curtilage of the existing development.  

The application has been submitted by Exmouth Queen’s Drive Community Interest Company, set up to operate and manage the development at Sideshore under a not-for-profit management model. 

The planning statement said: “The proposed location for the new Hub will also provide an important, distinctive landmark building, announcing the western gateway to Sideshore when approached from the west.  

“The Hub would also be within a small cluster of existing kiosks and other seafront buildings and would therefore sit comfortably within its context.” 

If given the go ahead, the new toilets would be located to the rear of the main Sideshore development and will be devliered within a ‘discreet’ extention to the existing bin store near the car park. 

To enable direct access to the Hub from the adjacent footpath and cycle route, a small section of the existing earth bank will be removed. 

Various locations have been considered for the new hub building and it has been chosen to locate the hub on the narrow end of the open space to the west of the main Sideshore site. 

The planning statement added: “The current proposals are a modest second phase of the Sideshore development, to provide much needed ancillary facilities to enhance the existing operations and wider community offer.  

“The proposals represent a continuation of the original project vision and ethos and will further enhance the wider community benefits associated with the ongoing regeneration of Exmouth. 

“The Hub building will provide a dedicated, permanent space and presence for the venue manager in a low-impact, high quality building that has been designed to offer flexible meeting space to support both Sideshore CIC and wider local community activities.” 

People have until Friday, October 7, to make their representations on the application and Exmouth Town Council will discuss the application through its planning committee. 

Ultimately, the final decision will be made by East Devon District Council.