Little by little, piece by piece, the exponents of the so called Master Plan, are gradually stripping Exmouth of everything that made it unique.

The destruction began when the heart of the town was torn out and replaced with a shopping centre, the mirror image of every other shopping centre in Britain.

Gone were the quaint little back streets, an attraction other seaside towns have had the foresight to preserve. Gone are the Shelly Beach chalets, a delightful little area, which was a joy to wander through.

Look what they did to the dock area: the Customs House was in a prime location, a prize for any developer. Suddenly, out of the blue the building was pronounced unsafe and dangerous.

Having done away with this obstacle what did they put in it’s place, a row of hideous flats, all with unobstructed views of the estuary. Holiday homes for millionaires, who are the only ones able to afford them.

However, I think the Strand Gardens takes the biscuit. I don’t think I’ve spoken to more than one or two people who actually like this vast area of nothingness.

The next step along the road to total banality, is the proposed destruction of an Exmouth landmark, the Elizabeth Hall. This hall adds distinction and dignity to the seafront and is a reminder of a lost world of gentility and elegance.

OK, it might not be of interest to the youngsters but the world is not made up entirely of young people.

Perhaps you are not aware of the fact that if the Elizabeth Hall is sold for redevelopment, the toilets which stand in the grounds will also be demolished and there are no plans to replace them.

Two more casualties of this so called Master Plan are in the offing and both will be sorely missed.

I don’t believe I go too far when I describe them as institutions; they are Harbour View Caf� and the coastal, Watch Tower.

It seems the powers that be do not consider the purpose of this tower to be as important as the planned Splash Complex.

As for Harbour View Caf�, it will be a sad day indeed when this refuge for dog walkers, joggers, families spending the day on the beach and others just out for a stroll, is demolished.

I am convinced that the vast majority of people in and around Exmouth, hate what is happening to their town but believe these plans are already a foregone conclusion, so it’s a waste of time moaning

People think their objections won’t be listened to and this is true if only one or two of us speak out but remember, we elected the master minds behind the Master Plan to serve us, the people of Exmouth.

It’s time for us, the silent majority, to speak up and remind them of this fact by saying : enough is enough.

Susan Saunders

Exmouth