Plans for Port Royal: anticipating a Regeneration Board >> "What were all these plans, meetings and consultations actually FOR? What we are ending up with is nothing like what was initially planned, or discussed or consulted on."

There is considerable scepticism around plans for Port Royal in Sidmouth - simply by looking at similar 'regeneration' exercises led by the District Council along the coast.

The 'consultation' has not been convincing:
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: anticipating a Regeneration Board >> and plans for Exmouth: When "nothing's been decided" means "something's been decided"
Futures Forum: Regenerating Exmouth seafront: "It is good that people air their opinions" >>> 90% reject District Council's plans

It hasn't really been about 'community' as such - but 'development' in all its insidious implications:
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: anticipating a Regeneration Board >> "BIG seafront development plans ... lots of income for land-holding EDDC and big income potential"

And the Whitbread Premier Inn option seems to rear its ugly head each time:
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: anticipating a Regeneration Board >> a Premier Inn comes to Eastern Town?

Although the thousands spent on consultants don't always provide what the District Council wanted:
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: anticipating a Regeneration Board >>> ‘Scoping Report for the eastern end of Sidmouth’ >>> commission work initiated

And the lobbying by developers certainly doesn't provide what had been promised early on: 

A spokesperson for Tesco, added: 

“We are proud of our investment and commitment to the Seaton community. Our store is popular and we have created many jobs for local people.

“Unfortunately because of the difficult housing market conditions it is no longer financially viable to build the affordable housing.”

Tesco withdraws offer of affordable housing as part of East Devon seaside development plans | Exeter Express and EchoFutures Forum: "Developer-led free-for-all is actually council policy"

As pointed out almost four years ago: 

"For years Exmouth and Seaton have had regeneration areas and Regeneration Boards. Until recently, all the Regeneration Board meetings were secret – now they are published but often with redacted parts.

But are these meetings, Boards, plans, consultations worth the bother?

Seaton’s regeneration area began life with a relatively small supermarket, housing, community and leisure facilities and a hotel, with 40% affordable housing in a total of over 400 houses. What they got was an enormous Tesco, less than 300 houses and no affordable homes.

Exmouth is now going the same way: it started as a purely seafront-themed “upgrading” but changed into expensive housing and cloned businesses.

So, we must ask ourselves: what were all these plans, meetings and consultations actually FOR? What we are ending up with on both sites is nothing like what was initially planned, or discussed or consulted on."

“Regeneration plans and meetings” – are they worth the effort | East Devon Watch
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: anticipatimg a Regeneration Board
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