Futures Forum: Regenerating Exmouth seafront: What do the public want?
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Things could become very drastic indeed, according to reports from UNESCO:
Exmouth water sports centre could 'destroy World Heritage Site’ claim made
By DanielClark | Posted: August 03, 2017
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Save Exmouth Seafront campaigners are urging both East Devon District Council and its preferred developer Grenadier Estates to re-consider the building of a Water Sports centre after concern that its location will 'threaten the entire existence of a World Heritage Site'.
East Devon District Council has approved plans for the £18million redevelopment which will transform the centre area of Queen's Drive, Exmouth, including the construction of a new watersports centre.
Plans for a world class, environmentally friendly watersports centre in Exmouth are expected to soon be released for public consultation by Grenadier Estates, the council's preferred development partner.
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Exmouth Watersports Centre
But Save Exmouth Seafront campaigners have said they are concerned on a number of fronts about the plans, and have said that not only is this development considered inappropriate, unnecessary and unpopular with residents, but it may also have far reaching unintended consequences.
Read more World class watersports centre plan for Exmouth to be revealed soon
Nick Hookway, Save Exmouth Seafront spokesman, said: "SES has recently been made aware of concerns raised within the management of the UNESCO world heritage site, "The Jurassic Coast" regarding the proposed "Water Sports" development on Queen's Drive.
"Such concerns centre on any inappropriate developments that could be clearly seen from any vantage point within the world heritage centre, "The Jurassic Coast".
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But Save Exmouth Seafront campaigners have said they are concerned on a number of fronts about the plans, and have said that not only is this development considered inappropriate, unnecessary and unpopular with residents, but it may also have far reaching unintended consequences.
Read more World class watersports centre plan for Exmouth to be revealed soon
Nick Hookway, Save Exmouth Seafront spokesman, said: "SES has recently been made aware of concerns raised within the management of the UNESCO world heritage site, "The Jurassic Coast" regarding the proposed "Water Sports" development on Queen's Drive.
"Such concerns centre on any inappropriate developments that could be clearly seen from any vantage point within the world heritage centre, "The Jurassic Coast".
Save Exmouth Seafront march
"By standing at the Geoneedle on Orcombe Point, the proposed "Water Sports" centre would be clearly visible as it would be situated on a curve that juts out into the Estuary."SES members posed the question: "Is this council prepared to deal with the hostile global criticism that any adverse impacts from this application may lead to?"
Professor Malcolm Hart, Vice-Chair of the Science and Conservation Advisory Group of the World Heritage Site, "The Jurassic Coast" has recently stated: "In the case of Exmouth and the River Exe, the views to the west and north are spectacular and continue onwards the geology of the site... Clearly one does not want to nibble away at the ends (or the middle) of the site in any way and so what one can see from Orcombe point and Maer Rocks IS important."
Mr Hookway added: "On the basis of this new information, SES now urges both EDDC and its preferred developer Grenadier Estates to re-consider the building of a Water Sports centre in such a prominent, environmentally sensitive location. For such a development risks destroying the vista from Orcombe Point and threatens the entire existence of the World Heritage Site "The Jurassic Coast".
"No doubt South West businesses reliant upon Tourism and those whose jobs depend upon visiting tourists would also wish to raise their concerns with Cllr Skinner. Indeed in attempting "Regeneration", Cllr Skinner through his cavalier and ill-considered actions may actually achieve "Degeneration" instead. What a legacy that would be."
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"By standing at the Geoneedle on Orcombe Point, the proposed "Water Sports" centre would be clearly visible as it would be situated on a curve that juts out into the Estuary."SES members posed the question: "Is this council prepared to deal with the hostile global criticism that any adverse impacts from this application may lead to?"
Professor Malcolm Hart, Vice-Chair of the Science and Conservation Advisory Group of the World Heritage Site, "The Jurassic Coast" has recently stated: "In the case of Exmouth and the River Exe, the views to the west and north are spectacular and continue onwards the geology of the site... Clearly one does not want to nibble away at the ends (or the middle) of the site in any way and so what one can see from Orcombe point and Maer Rocks IS important."
Mr Hookway added: "On the basis of this new information, SES now urges both EDDC and its preferred developer Grenadier Estates to re-consider the building of a Water Sports centre in such a prominent, environmentally sensitive location. For such a development risks destroying the vista from Orcombe Point and threatens the entire existence of the World Heritage Site "The Jurassic Coast".
"No doubt South West businesses reliant upon Tourism and those whose jobs depend upon visiting tourists would also wish to raise their concerns with Cllr Skinner. Indeed in attempting "Regeneration", Cllr Skinner through his cavalier and ill-considered actions may actually achieve "Degeneration" instead. What a legacy that would be."
Save Exmouth Seafront march
An East Devon District Council spokesman said: "The council is in the closing stages of negotiation with Grenadier, its development partner, on a development agreement for the water sports centre. Grenadier has recently said publicly that it expects to move forward shortly to promote its plans and consult with the people of Exmouth. We look forward to working closely with them to make this important asset for Exmouth a reality.
"Once Grenadier has gone through the planning process, then the council will be able to start on the road and car park relocation followed by a new vision and consultation for Phase 3 which covers both the remaining fun park site and the site where the seafront café is currently situated."
A Grenadier Estates spokesman said: "We are developing exciting plans for a world class, environmentally friendly watersports centre in Exmouth.
"The not-for-profit centre will include first class watersport facilities and provide amenities which are currently lacking on the waterfront. The centre will make use of Exmouth's location, which lends itself to excellent kite surfing, paddle boarding, sailing and canoeing, and provide high quality facilities to accommodate this.
"The aim is to create a building which combines distinctive architectural design with a small carbon footprint, reducing the impact of the building to both land and marine environments. As with all of Grenadier's projects, there is a commitment to achieving EPC A ratings.
"The development of the site will be funded by renadier Estates and then transferred to a Community Interest Company. Any excess revenues raised from the building after its completion will be fed back into Exmouth community projects for many years to come providing an amazing long term legacy."
They added the development has been 'scaled back and redefined' since the initial round of plans emerged three years ago.
Exmouth water sports centre could 'destroy World Heritage Site’ claim made | Devon Live
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An East Devon District Council spokesman said: "The council is in the closing stages of negotiation with Grenadier, its development partner, on a development agreement for the water sports centre. Grenadier has recently said publicly that it expects to move forward shortly to promote its plans and consult with the people of Exmouth. We look forward to working closely with them to make this important asset for Exmouth a reality.
"Once Grenadier has gone through the planning process, then the council will be able to start on the road and car park relocation followed by a new vision and consultation for Phase 3 which covers both the remaining fun park site and the site where the seafront café is currently situated."
A Grenadier Estates spokesman said: "We are developing exciting plans for a world class, environmentally friendly watersports centre in Exmouth.
"The not-for-profit centre will include first class watersport facilities and provide amenities which are currently lacking on the waterfront. The centre will make use of Exmouth's location, which lends itself to excellent kite surfing, paddle boarding, sailing and canoeing, and provide high quality facilities to accommodate this.
"The aim is to create a building which combines distinctive architectural design with a small carbon footprint, reducing the impact of the building to both land and marine environments. As with all of Grenadier's projects, there is a commitment to achieving EPC A ratings.
"The development of the site will be funded by renadier Estates and then transferred to a Community Interest Company. Any excess revenues raised from the building after its completion will be fed back into Exmouth community projects for many years to come providing an amazing long term legacy."
They added the development has been 'scaled back and redefined' since the initial round of plans emerged three years ago.
Exmouth water sports centre could 'destroy World Heritage Site’ claim made | Devon Live
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