Change will bring benefits
The chairman of Exmouth’s largest community group has said that local councillors and officers should be given flowers and not ‘brickbats’ for their efforts to revitalise the town.
Currently there are petitions to prevent the Elizabeth Hall and the Coast Watch Tower from being developed as part of the seafront regeneration plans outlined in the Exmouth Masterplan.
The new Strand has divided opinion and plans for a glass-fronted pavilion were pulled at the eleventh hour earlier this year.
And the enhancement of the Geoneedle at Orcombe Point and Queen’s Drive are soon to be completed.
But Roy Pryke, chairman of the Exmouth Community Association has praised the heavily criticised town council, East Devon District Council and Devon County Council.
You may also want to watch:
He said: “I am fully aware of the concerns some have about changes to the town… let us first register the improvements which, while not perfect in every respect, have benefited Exmouth’s residents, visitors and businesses in the past year or two.
“Our political representatives and council officers are often criticised. They are used to receiving brickbats, but we should be ready to give them bouquets and to recognise that they and their planners, urban designers and architects do have the experience and vision to enhance our environment and our lives. Working with them positively and constructively will bring real benefits to all of us.”
Most Read
- 1 Couple walking from Exmouth to Swanage in memory of Pippa
- 2 'Let’s get out of the stranglehold this killer virus has had on our lives' by staying home
- 3 Milestone planning decision marks reason for optimism in the Otter Valley
- 4 Words of respect and dignity honoured Adrian
- 5 Chamber inundated with snaps of Exmouth and Budleigh at sunrise and sunset
- 6 Transition Exmouth’s ‘library of things’ project get National Lottery funding boost
- 7 Exmouth goes underground – designer creates town tube map
- 8 Introducing the Journal's newest columnst - Scott Gray
- 9 Do you know who owns the Magnolia clock?
- 10 Food Drink Devon opens entries for 2021 awards
He said what was important was for Exmouth to discuss on an ‘informed basis’, to be consulted and for visionary but realistic plans to be drawn up.
He said the town council alongside with community organisations the Civic Society, Exmouth Residents’ Association, Exmouth Citizens’ Forum, and Transition Town Exmouth, had continued to work on issues that have an impact on the quality and prosperity of Exmouth.
He said: “We have underlined that the acceptability to us of any of the proposed developments will depend on the quality of the detailed plans for each site.
“Our approach, as always, will be to consider the proposals carefully, to engage in meaningful discussion with the three councils.”
