Stop living in the Dark Ages

I write in desperation regarding the proposed redevelopment of the Longboat cafe on Budleigh Salterton seafront.

I cannot believe the continuous bombardment to the Journal of blinkered and shortsighted comments concerning this redevelopment.

The most vociferous appears to be from Mr Daniels, of 7 Marine Parade, who, in his wisdom, has chosen to paint the outside of his house a rather suspect shade of mud brown. Hardly an enhancement to to the seafront, if one wants to be picky!

I am a resident of this beautiful little town and love the seafront and the glorious views it offers.

However, unlike the favoured few who are lucky enough to live on the seafront, I cannot afford this luxury, but I would love to sit and enjoy this view over a pleasant meal and glass of wine of an evening - just as they do from the comfort of their homes and terraces.

Why should I, and many other locals and visitors alike, be deprived of this wonderful opportunity, for the sake of the selfish few who seem to feel the seafront is their private domain after about six in the evening.

I think the new proposal has been very well thought out and in no way detracts from the beauty of the coastline.

We have nowhere in Budleigh to eat and enjoy a pleasant evening beside the sea.

This new venture gives us the perfect opportunity to keep visitors in the town after trading has finished for the day, instead of just passing through to somewhere else. Just think, we might end up encouraging new businesses to open up, instead of down, and do us all a favour.

Regarding the persistent whittering about the dilapidated and rather hideous old shelter next to the Longboat Cafe, due to go in the proposed redevelopment, did you know that it is used overnight as a toilet by people fishing?

Most mornings cafe owner Brent Hushon can be found cleaning up urine and faeces either in the shelter itself or next door in the cafe courtyard. I wonder how many people would sit there if he did not do it.

The only people I ever see in the shelter are the overflow customers from the cafe, because all other seats are taken.

Brent does a good job painting out the graffiti as it appears in the area, too.

The Hushons come across as a conscientious, caring couple who would continue to treat the new proposal with the same care as the present cafe.

I know many friends and acquaintances commend this new venture and we all wish the Hushons every success.

Wake up Budleigh, stop living in the Dark Ages, or the town will eventually die.

Janice Camp,

Chapel Street,

Budleigh Salterton.