The people of Exmouth have voted ‘yes’ in a parish poll on whether the town council should call for more consultation on seafront redevelopment plans.

The poll, carried out yesterday (Wednesday) asked the question ‘Should Exmouth Town Council recommend to East Devon District Council that before any further planning applications are approved with regard to the Queen’s Drive development area, that additional independent consultation should be carried out in addition to that required by the applicant and the Local Planning Authority?’

The number of ballot papers issued was 4,754 and there was a 17.8 per cent turnout.

A total of 4,515 (94.9 per cent) voted in favour of Exmouth Town Council making the recommendation, while 232 (5.1 per cent) voted against.

There were seven spoilt ballot papers.

In response to the result of the poll, Exmouth Town Council issued the following statement: “Exmouth Town Council acknowledges that the majority of residents who voted at the town poll would like the town council to write to East Devon District Council to reinforce the need for further independent consultation.

“The result corroborates the town council’s view that further consultation is desirable in respect of any future proposals for Queen’s Drive and reiterates a motion passed by the town council in August 2015, which urged the district council to facilitate further consultation with the community.

“The town clerk, Lisa Bowman, reiterated that the results of the poll are not legally binding on either the town or district councils and confirmed that any ensuing action by the town council would need to be agreed at a future meeting of the town council.”

More reaction to the poll result will follow.