Exmouth Residents Association publishes sea front vision

THE Exmouth Residents Association (ERA) is the latest community group to publish its vision for the seafront, after East Devon District Council laid down the gauntlet to community groups asking the public what the Esplanade should be like by 2026.

EDDC is drawing up a blueprint for Exmouth called the Core Strategy and one of the key planks is the production of a Seafront Masterplan.

ERA is made up of local residents who come from all walks of life who all have a common interest – the town’s future.

Chairman Geoff Morris said that the report follows a meeting with consultants LDA Design and is a response to a report by Exmouth Community Association (ECA) published in August.

The ECA said the ‘open airiness’ of the seafront should be kept and there should be no additional buildings on the seaward side of the Esplanade.

It added that traffic should give priority to pedestrians, the building of three new piazzas should be considered and better connections between the seafront, town centre and a transport interchange was a must.

Mr Morris said: “Changes in one part of our town, particularly to the current road network, can impact upon the situation elsewhere.

“Any change in traffic routeing must not increase the number of vehicles travelling through the centre of the town on Rolle Street.

“Open spaces should be preserved and the creation of additional open areas is to be encouraged.”

He added that the Natural habitat and sea estuary and coastal views should be protected and no new buildings should be allowed that would obstruct the views from the promenade.

He added: “We should only advertise Exmouth as a centre for those watersports where we can provide suitable launching facilities at most states of the tide.

“As a holiday destination, Exmouth should have a network of well maintained public conveniences throughout the town within easy walking distance of each other.”