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Jurassic Coast Visitor Centres

Seaton and Exmouth are in line to be the locations for two world-class Jurassic Coast Visitor Centres.

Following studies by independent consultants, sites for the state-of-the-art Centres have been identified in a feasibility report which will now be considered by project partners.

Visitor Gateway Centres at Seaton and Exmouth would act as focal points for visitors to the Dorset and East Devon World Heritage Site - England's only natural World Heritage Site - and in the case of Exmouth, the internationally renowned Exe Estuary. They would attract more people to the towns and boost trade for local businesses and existing attractions, and enhance sustainable eco-tourism for the region.

The Centres would include exhibitions about the globally important 95 mile stretch of coastline and about other local features such as the Axe Estuary and Exe Estuary. In Exmouth, there would be additional exhibitions considering the issues of climate change and the effects this has had on the coastline from its geological beginnings to the present day.

The preferred location for the Exmouth Gateway Visitor Centre is on the Imperial Recreation Ground in a central position to the rear of the site.

Between 250,000 to 300,000 people would be expected to visit the Centre each year. Features would include state-of-the-art video links connected to webcams sited around the Exe Estuary and along the Jurassic Coast, a tourist information centre, educational facilities and high quality retail and catering facilities.

Exmouth plays a key role in the Jurassic Coast story, with its Triassic rocks marking the western end and start of the 'Walk Through Time' along the coastline. It is also home to internationally important nature sites including the Exe Estuary which is a superb venue for marine conservation, bird watching and other water-based activities.

The preferred option for the Seaton Gateway Visitor Centre is a site adjacent to the Seaton Tramway terminus and visitor car park. This is where the majority of visitors to the town arrive, making it accessible for both tourists and residents.

It is estimated that around 230,000-270,000 people would visit the Centre each year which, alongside exhibitions, could also include education facilities, a tourist information centre and catering and retail opportunities.

Seaton is significant as the only Gateway Town to the Jurassic Coast where visitors can walk relatively quickly to parts of the site with rocks from all three eras - Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous - and allows access to the spectacular Undercliff National Nature Reserve. In addition the town offers the award winning local nature reserve, the wildlife of Seaton Marshes and the Seaton Tramway amongst other attractions.

Together, it is estimated that the Centres will inject an additional £5.3million into the local economy and support 170 new jobs.

The partners working on the project are Devon County Council, East Devon District Council, South West of England Regional Development Agency, the Exe Estuary Partnership (EU Interreg Cycleau Project), Exmouth Town Council, Seaton Town Council, Exmouth Project Promotion Group, Seaton Development Trust and Seaton Tramway. The partnership is working closely with the Dorset and East Devon World Heritage Site Steering Group and the RSPB.

Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council's Executive Member for Environment warmly welcomed the report: "The possibility of world-class Visitor Centres being located in Exmouth and Seaton represents a real investment in the future of East Devon and supports the aspirations of local communities.

"The spectacular and unique Jurassic Coast is already hugely popular and the Centres are likely to attract even more people to the towns to find out about, and be inspired by, the coastline and surrounding area.

"This report is a major step forward with the Centres identified as playing a crucial role in unlocking the potential for Exmouth, Seaton and East Devon, which have so much to offer, and I very much look forward to working with our partners on the next stages of this exciting project."

East Devon District Council's Portfolio Holder for Economy, Councillor Paul Diviani, said: "The District Council is a major partner in the Jurassic Coast Project and our Economic Development Service has been co-ordinating the feasibility studies. We are also working hard with the communities of Exmouth and Seaton respectively on regeneration schemes that will provide the ideal environment for such ventures.

"The results of the Unlocking Exmouth proposals and the Seaton Regeneration Scheme could provide a superb backdrop for each of these centres and the facilities themselves would also be key pieces in the regeneration jigsaws for both towns. I am delighted that these two Gateway Centres have moved a step closer to fulfilling their promise of becoming a valuable asset to the visitor experience and to our local economy."

Lynne Del-Greco, operations manager in the Devon Area Team of the South West RDA, which contributed half of the funding for the Visitor Centre studies, said: "Tourism is a priority sector for us and these centres could be very important in linking with other potential projects all along the Jurassic Coast, and building on its World Heritage status. This will help to extend the visitor season and support jobs and businesses in the regional economy."

Councillor Eileen Wragg, Mayor of Exmouth and Devon County Councillor for the Exmouth Littleham & Town division, welcomed progress made towards achieving a world class visitor centre for Exmouth: "We are moving closer to achieving recognition of the priceless natural assets of our coastline and the Exe Estuary. These are already internationally acclaimed and protected and now a focal point is to be established which will bring a wealth of benefits to our communities and to our visitors.

"These are truly exciting times and I hope that others will share our enthusiasm and lend their support to this prestigious project which will contribute to the growing sense of pride which exists in Exmouth."

Captain David J Conway, Chair of Exmouth Project Promotion Group, said: "The breathtakingly beautiful and internationally-important natural assets of the Exe Estuary and the Jurassic Coast have given birth to aspirations for a world class visitor and interpretation centre in Exmouth.

"This Exe Estuary and Jurassic Coast Interpretation Centre will bring great benefits to the communities in the form of sustainable eco-tourism and employment, and will raise awareness of our wonderful natural assets, thereby aiding in their conservation.

"This feasibility study report is a major step forward in realising these aspirations. We truly hope that everyone will be as enthusiastic as we are; support us, and take pride in the delivery of this Exmouth project."

Heather Salmon, clerk to Seaton Town Council, said: "Seaton Town Council has enthusiastically welcomed the undertaking of this feasibility study and whole heartedly supports the proposal to site a world class visitor centre/interpretation centre in the town.

"Such a centre will provide an economic boost for the town's regeneration plans and a focus for civic pride.

"The proposals offer exciting opportunities for Seaton, considerably raising the town's profile as a desirable place for visitors and tourists, and providing not only increased trade and profitability for existing related businesses, but also opening up numerous opportunities for new businesses.

"The Council looks forward to continued working with the town's community and business groups to bring to fruition all the opportunities such a centre can offer to Seaton and neighbouring communities."

Bernard Dunford from the Seaton Development Trust, said: "Seaton Development Trust is pleased that this Community led project has been given the go-ahead at this stage. We expect a world class Visitor Centre to benefit the whole Community and to kick-start the regeneration area of the Town."

Jenny Nunn of Seaton Tramway, said: "Seaton Tramway recognises that this is an important project for Seaton and has been fully pro-active in supporting the work to date. We welcome the opportunities this sort of investment can bring to the town and very much look forward to working with everyone in the future in taking this project further."

Aidan Winder, speaking on behalf of the Exe Estuary Partnership's Cycleau Project, said: "The Partnership welcomes the site for Exmouth and the opportunities it presents to showcase the international importance of the Exe Estuary, particularly the fantastic birdlife for which the estuary is so well-known."

The consultant's report will now be considered by all funding partners to determine how the study will be progressed to the next stages including market testing with the private sector.

The Dorset and East Devon World Heritage Site - popularly known as the Jurassic Coast - was awarded World Heritage status in December 2001 by UNESCO. It stretches for 95 miles from Exmouth in East Devon to old Harry Rocks in Dorset.

Gateway towns provide immediate services and access to the Jurassic Coast and, from west to east, are Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth, Beer, Seaton, Lyme Regis, Charmouth, West Bay and Bridport, Portland, Weymouth, Swanage, Wareham and Poole.

The Visitor Centre study was carried out by Locum Destination Consulting which has an international reputation for its work on sustainable tourism.

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Links to previous council press releases