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Regeneration Area
Supplementary Planning Guidance,
Response by Seaton Town Council June 2004

The Regeneration Area

The Town Council supports the proposal to develop the site as a whole, thus preventing piecemeal development.

Boulevard

The Town Council supports the provision of a boulevard offering linear views to the World Heritage Coast and Harbour, provided the crossings of the tramline can be achieved. It supports the proposal to provide additional parking along the boulevard to that currently available but the Town Council urges that this parking be metered to avoid it being taken up by residential parking from the new developments.

Underfleet Car Park

The Town Council is strongly against developing the Underfleet car park. The Town Council sees no gain for the town in this proposed development. It will harm local business and destroy links to the existing town centre. The Town Council supports the car park remaining as it is. Cosmetic work could be carried out, such as more screening and tree planting, but with the expectation that the regeneration proposals will produce more visitors, the town will need more parking spaces than currently exist. The car park is an asset for the town and its fluctuating occupancy is typical of any tourist/seaside town but it is essential that in the height of the tourist season, sufficient parking spaces are available for visitors to ensure that they are able to remain in the town. This car park has other regular users such as the Racing Pigeon Club, the local motorcycle training school and is also booked every year for the annual fair during the two week Carnival period.

Activity Hub

The Town Council does not support moving the activity hub halfway down Harbour Road as it will destroy links to the existing town centre. The town centre starts at Marine Crescent/Marine Place through to Queen Street and Fore Street – not halfway down Harbour Road.

The Town Council supports the retention of the current successful activity hub in The Underfleet car park which incorporates the youth centre, the TIC and the Tramway, with expansion to include the Sustrans cycle terminus with amenities.

Skateboard Park

The Council does not support any change to the play area and skateboard park. Any change is unnecessary and would be detrimental to the town's youth. These facilities form part of the current successful activity hub.

TIC

The Council does not support the proposal to move the TIC. The current TIC forms part of the successful activity hub in the Underfleet Car Park. Visitor numbers to, and residential use of, the TIC are increasing every year and with the anticipated increase in tourism to the town, the numbers will continue to increase. The Council would not support the separation of the TIC by providing one facility for visitors and one for residents. The Council would also not be prepared to fund a second separate TIC.

Residential Building

The Town Council supports EDDC's wish that all new developments must have quality architecture, including the affordable homes. Parking ratio should be 1:1

The Town Council seeks the 40% allocation of affordable housing which must be provided within the regeneration area. A financial contribution towards affordable housing which could be used elsewhere would not be supported.

Heritage Centre

The Town Council supports the provision of a major visitor attraction promoting the World Heritage status of our coastline and marshes/wildlife reserve. It will also provide a quality gateway from the Axmouth side which at the moment is disappointing to visitors. The Town Council would support the incorporation of a public house/restaurant/hotel/cafe with open spaces and green wedges to complement the area and give an environmentally-friendly feel to the zone. Parking provision would be essential.

Riverside Walks by the Estuary

The Council supports this proposal which will offer an attraction, make use of the river for visitors and provide flood defences.

Supermarket

As the Town Council does not support development of the Underfleet Car Park, it accepts the previously approved application for the siting of a supermarket as per figure 5 in the Development Brief./p>

Riverside Workshops

The Town Council supports the relocation of the Riverside Workshops to the industrial site at Harepath Road, provided the space allocated for a football pitch/recreation facilities in LSE3 is not affected and provided the tenants at the Riverside Workshops are able to continue where they are until the Harepath Road premises are ready for occupation and they are moved en bloc. They would also support the relocation of Bradford's Builders to the same site with the same provisos.

Community Facilities

The Town Council calls for provision within the regeneration area to accommodate facilities such as a community hall, doctors surgery and new school to provide for the increased population within the development area

Employment

The Town Council supports the proposal for retail/commercial provision.

General

The Town Council would appreciate seeing EDDC's submission to the Inspector/Inquiry before the Inquiry.

The Town Council would appreciate a full summary of the responses to the Development Brief from the public and other organisations within the town.

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