A public consultation about proposals for a new ‘Exmouth Splash’ leisure and seafront attractions area on Exmouth seafront is now up and running, and will continue until 14 January 2013.
Exmouth Splash’ will be a new, vibrant and colourful leisure and recreation area between the old Lifeboat Station and the Maer on Queen’s Drive.
There will be two large play and recreation areas, a public square, shops, amenities and a new ‘watersports hub’ offering hiring, training and retail facilities for all the water sports popular in Exmouth.
A hotel or holiday accommodation scheme is proposed for the north-west of the site. The current Harbour View café building would be removed to make way for a new two storey café and/or restaurant. EDDC now anticipates that a new safety tower would be provided as part of any re-development.
Car parking with at least 200 spaces would be moved to the rear of the site, with the current road moved back from the seafront to allow direct access to the beach and sea for all enjoying the watersports and play areas.
The full plans, including architect’s drawings and descriptions of each element of the proposed ‘Exmouth Splash’, can be seen online at www.eastdevon.gov.uk/exmouthsplash
An online questionnaire has been designed to allow wide-ranging feedback on all the proposed features.
All the proposals are on display in the former Thomas Tucker shop window in Exmouth town centre. A leaflet detailing the plans, as well as the questionnaire, is also available to collect at Exmouth Town Hall. They will also be on display in the lobby of Exmouth Pavilion, as well as being sent by post to a random sample of Exmouth residents and businesses.
EDDC and Exmouth Community College are working to agree an event in the New Year specifically to learn the views of younger people.
Anyone can ask for a copy of the questionnaire directly by e-mailing jbuckley@eastdevon.gov.uk or by phoning 01395 517569.
What, exactly, is wrong with this part of the seafront at the moment? Development for development’s sake is a waste of resources that might be used more beneficially in other areas. Remember, an open space can normally only be developed once. It seems to me, the proposals have very few advantages for local people. The only beneficiaries of this project appear to be big businesses and outsiders. Please think about the locals, who are here all year round, and have different needs from summer visitors. The seafront space is extremely limited and valuable. We don’t need yet another hotel, more shops and leisure facilities on this vital part of the coastline, which both the local community and visitors enjoy at the moment.
The worst aspect of this from my point of view is the proposed ‘removal’ of the Harbour Cafe. The observation tower is an iconic part of Exmouth, and the removal or demolition of this would be nothing short of vandalism to a historic building. Replacing it with something else would miss the point entirely. The Harbour Cafe is also the only sea-front, indoor cafe open all year that is dog-friendly. To think of denying walkers and dog-owners this important facility is deplorable, and shows that this supposed enhancement is actually going to be a reduction of provision for a large number of locals and visitors. I feel that this aspect of the proposal is devisive and non-inclusive. If it goes ahead, I am sure there will be huge opposition.
We disagree that this would be ‘development for development’s sake. These proposals aim to fulfil the clear ambition of the Exmouth Town Centre and Seafront Masterplan which states that this area ‘should become a new vibrant, colourful, active and fully integrated tourism/leisure zone focused around play for all ages.’
A new observation tower would be provided as part of any new café/restaurant building replacing the current Harbour View building.
My husbands family have lived and worked in Exmouth for over 100 years and we have been having holidays here every year for over 60 years.Our children and grandchildren enjoy the unchanged seefront and cannot believe how you want to destroy that by your efforts to modernise and commercialise this area.I do appreciate that this area could benefit from some cosmetic improvements but not wholesale vandalism.
I fully agree with the original comment regarding the wilfull destruction of the iconic observation tower and the pet friendly cafe.
The council do not have a good record of improvements in Exmouth for example the mess that is the Strand.
This lady is not for change! !!!
A few questions:
1) It is my understanding that once the land is sold and the plots go out to tender that it will be the individuals / companies that will build the buildings seen on the artists impression. I understand that they will be very expensive to build which will understandably have to be paid for with entry fees etc. With this in mind I imagine you’d have to have something there that is worth a high entry fee to allow for such a development, could it end up being a fair ground/Crealy attraction for instance?
2) If each plot goes out to different tenders what is the guarantee each plot will be in keeping with the other?
3) What are the thoughts on the ‘Splash’ being sympathetic to the Maer which is adjacent to the site in terms of landscaping and building design? Such as grasses? wooden paths? Low level buildings?
4) Finally have the developers/architects looked at successful beaches/promenades around the world for inspiration? As I think this is key? Tree lined promenades for instance – we may not be able to do palm trees but a row of blossom trees could be beautiful for instance and such a simple way to enhance appeal
Many thanks.
1) Yes, businesses will charge their customers. The preferred option at this stage is that lots/packages of land will be offered at long leases so businesses will at least be able to plan to recoup their costs over a very long period.
2) This need will be established by any planning permission that is granted.
3) These are all good points. We have tried to be clear that the Splash proposals will not affect The Maer in any way.
4) Yes they have.
All for the Tourists?
I dont have any problem with most of the Splash idea, as some new buildings are needed to provide ‘All weather’ water facilities, and to attract holiday visitors. I sympathise with those who want to keep the Harbour view, though a new building might be better, provided the aspect and value of the popular Cafe are kept.
However I object to the wanton destruction of a period Victorian (Elizabeth) Hall in order to make an hotel, when another, even larger one is proposed for the splash site, almost right next door, within the ‘splash area’. The words ‘Unwanted’ and ‘Unwarranted’ come to mind. Where has the case been shown for the need for two similar large hotels, when what we need is our own centre? To be clear – a well-built hotel within the Splash development could be fine. What do our hoteliers think?
I do find it surprising that a development which seems to have watersports at it’s heart should be located at the very place on the Seafront where red flags are flown to discourage swimming because of the strong tidal currents. Experienced, competent people may be able to cope with these conditions, but hardly novices.
I was also intrigued to see that the Harbour View Cafe, that symbol of our seafront, is to be ‘removed’, not demolished, but ‘removed’. Whilst I would prefer that it stayed put, if this is to go ahead, perhaps EDDC could remove it to the site of the old Custom House at the Pierhead, where we know their Planners are desperate to see a landmark building.
Thank you for your comments. The ‘Exmouth Splash’ consultation has now finished. Councillors will now want to study all responses carefully, including comments posted here, during February and March before agreeing how to proceed with a formal planning application.
My comment was made before consultation closed. Could I, at least, have a response to my first paragraph?
Many thanks for your contribution. Councillors will be studying all such suggestions carefully during February and March before deciding on their formal response.
After the total shambles of the Strand which now looks more like a barrack square than a garden, do we really want to put our trust in planners who have probably never visited Exmouth for any length of time nor taken the opportunity to call into Harbour View cafe with wet dogs and sandy children? The building itself is an iconic landmark of Exmouth (see the video dating back half a century which is available on the internet) and I am sure Dawn would have liked to have spruced the place up, but EDDC had other ideas. These same planners agreed to the Bowling Alley site and then appear to have forgotten to include car parking and/or failed to mention that they were going to totally change our sea front and put a car park closer to that facility. We do not need any more shops on Exmouth sea front – there are so many empty shops in the town itself that seasonal ones on the sea front will be a total waste. People visit and enjoy Exmouth and its sea front because it is NOT the same as every other seaside town.
Thank you for your comments. The ‘Exmouth Splash’ consultation has now finished. Councillors will now want to study all responses carefully, including comments posted here, during February and March before agreeing how to proceed with a formal planning application.
Exmouth Splash is a grandiose project which appears to be doing very lttle but re-building a perfectly adequate and much loved cafe and plastering the seafront with yet more concrete to make an assortment of additional catering and play (and ? pay ) areas for no obvious reason. The funding is to be provided by businesses whose function will be to squeeze as much cash as they can out of visitors and residents alike and cut them off from access to the front. Exmouth’s 3 mile plus front is and has been its pride and joy and we do not want any more desecration. The 10 pin bowling alley was bad enough but even hat has not trespassed on to the front. Enough is enough.
The plans as proposed would not restrict any access to the seafront or any part of the beach. There will be a promenade open to all directly adjacent to the beach and the re-aligned road would allow open access through the site much as now.
I am concerned that people’s responses to the Splash proposals are being diluted by the number of places they are posting – there are more responses on the ‘your views’ part of this website than here, and there is also the http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/exmouthsplash address that people are not using. I don’t understand why it has been set up like this – surely it would be to the benefit of all who wish to have a discussion online to have a single point in which to do so?
Although we publicized the consultation in many places, we did encourage everyone to use a single form of feedback, namely the consultation questionnaire posted at http://www.eastdevon.com/exmouthsplash
Any thoughts on keeping/relocating beach huts?
All looks very pretty on paper but what happens when the sand blows all over it and there is no facility for the launching of boats in this area, where is the slipway, Red flags and dangerous current notices of will this new area have a calming effect on the sea.
Just to agree with Rob, first refusal on sensible terms for the Harbour View management on any new cafe space. The sight of the cafe after a long night in the saddle is bliss – be great to see Dawn and team included in new plans.
Please, please, please don’t knock down and kick out the harbour view cafe. It’s been a massive part of my childhood, and its such a perfect place to grab a bite to eat on a cold winters walk with the dog, or have a cold drink on hot summers say!
We eat there every month, it’s great to take the dogs in too! We also visit ever year on my late fathers birthday, to remember his life and the fun times we had there!
It’s good that EDDC have some vision for the future of Exmouth but that vision should incorporate existing businesses. The Harbour View Cafe has been an important part of the seafront since my college days (Rolle, RIP) and it is still important now. I help organise a large overnight bike ride (the Exmouth Exodus) which finishes at the Harbour View after a 100 mile journey down from Bristol. Dawn and her team open early and give us a warm welcome and a good breakfast, accompanied by stunning views across the estuary. Even if the building is to be replaced, please give the existing Harbour View management first refusal (on sensible terms) for the new lease.
If they build a watersports hub I hope that EDGE and liquid motion will be incorporated? It would be a shame to alienate these local businesses.
Thanks for your views. If you have a few minutes please do visit http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/exmouthsplash and add these thoughts to the main consultation questionnaire
I believe the ‘Splash’ is a massive desecration of a much-loved sea-front and is an abhorrence that removes all that is loved by the majority of Exmothians and visitors, alike. There is an old adage, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’! What is a popular Victorian sea-front will become something that is more akin to a modern cheap-value holiday resort, and look more like Blackpool/Benidorm, etc.
What I would prefer to see is the existing town-centre maintained – just walk past the shops in Exeter Road, if you can do so safely without tripping over broken and lifting paving slabs; the Magnolia Centre has slabs missing, replaced by unattractive tarmac; gutters in Magnolia are overflowing with foliage; the clock has seen better days, and rust-ridden. The list is almost endless. Will new development on the sea-front be maintained (?) to the same low standards
Thank you for your views. Our view is that change is needed to bring new economic vitality to the seafront and prosperity to the town. Exmouth has to provide opportunities and attractions that can compete with many other seaside towns, near and far, in the 21st century.
Please consider visiting http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/exmouthsplash to share your views through the formal consultation questionnaire.
Thank-you for your response. I do not propose completing your questionnaire as it has been patently obvious over the years that you take little, if any, notice of those who do not agree with your views.
I note that you failed to make any response to my comment regarding the present lack of maintenance of other areas of Exmouth and whether this lack would continue in ‘regenerated’ areas.
This area could well be a success If it can be paid for and will not be to expensive to use. Also you may have the same problems as the Bowling centre found with the town
sewer’s under there site.? which I do believe had some effect on the delays.
What I find a puzzle is the council could have had many more residents on your side if you had counted to 10 before the £ signs got the better of all of you, and indicated that you would be willing to let Premier Inn have the first option of new hotel site, and biting the dust, Exmouth would have got their community centre, it so badly needs as well as all these other schemes you are proposing for us.
At first glance aprt from retail sites, including hiring of Watersports equipment,hotel and grassy areas there does not seem much for families, tourists or natives, to do there that they cannot do elsewhere in Exmouth. PLEASE keep at least the Crazy Golf so families with young and not so young children can enjoy this popular passtime. It takes up minmal space – please add this to the proposal!
Mini-golf is very much in our thinking and we hope will continue to be offered by one of the operators on the new site.
Do you have any plans to offer like for like provision to the operators already delivering these attractions on the existing site? Or is the plan to remove the local business operators and replace them with new, external providers offering updated attractions?
We have no plans to remove anyone. Our proposals would see all current tenants able to bid for lots/packages of land alongside others in the knowledge that long leases (longer than they have had to date) will be available to justify any new investment.
Let’s hope that “watersports” doesn’t include anything noisy and polluting. Given the kind of people who wrote the Exmouth Vision, it wouldn’t surprise me if they want to turn the area into a playground for water scooters – which would certainly drive away far more people than it attracts.
A watersports hub sounds fantastic especially given the town’s history of producing world class sailors, windsurfers etc. I would love to hear more details of the thinking here.
I also believe that Exmouth would be well positioned for a second marina, given it’s geographical location within Lime Bay, thriving sailing club, but current lack of visiting yachts. This would also have the potential to look great and boost the local economy.