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Exmouth temporary attractions to stay

Planning permission has been granted for another 3 years

But the committee urged the council to get on and bring forward their long term proposals for the seafront as soon as they can.

Concerns had been raised regarding the desirability to extend the temporary consent for a further three years, but as planning legislation only allows two temporary uses for one site and a 12 month permission was granted last year, the council would not be able to apply for any further temporary use so applied for the maximum length of time allowed.

Cllr Philip Skinner, Chairman of Exmouth Regeneration Board, told councillors that a 36-month extension gives the council the most flexibility to get through the consultation that is currently being down with HemingwayDesign and come out the other side and do the best for Exmouth, adding: “This does not mean we will take another three years or this will stay on the site for three years, but it gives us the flexibility to extend if needs so.”

Alison Hayward, senior manager for regeneration and economic development for the council, added that the Queen’s Drive space has resonated with the town and been extremely popular. She added: “We have applied for an extension of three years to allow for the space to continue to be used while development proposals takes place and come forward in the future.”

As per last summer, three distinct zones will be provided within the Queen’s Drive space. It will once again include a food and drink space, which may be used for live music, the play space which includes the dinosaur-themed play park, and the zone that will show live cinema screening, music, and outdoor theatre.

Similar conditions as to what were imposed for this summer in terms of noise and finishing time will once again be stipulated, although the new application seeks consent for the siting of a marquee within the events space, and the installation of four flagpoles on the Queens Drive frontage.

Cllr Mark Williamson proposed that the plans be approved. He said: “I hope it will not last the full 36 months and a scheme will come forward before then, but it has been a very successful one year so far. It would be perverse to refuse this application as no material change has taken place to one that we have already approved, so there is no alternative but to approve this in line with planning law.”

Cllr Paul Carter said that the plans should be welcomed, but that he didn’t want the full 36 months to have to be used.

Cllr Brian Bailey added: “As a council, we have essentially already approved this and we have no option but to support this. By giving this three years, it gives us ample chance and it is an insurance policy and avoids us rushing into something for the hell of it.”

However, objectors from Save Exmouth Seafront questioned the logic behind granted permission for a further three years.

Nick Hookway, SES chairman said: “A year ago residents were told that these temporary attractions would be in place for one year and the dinosaur playground was included as an attempt to mitigate the loss of the wide range of attractions that was offered by the previous business on the site which the council closed down.

“This application is very light of detail and suggests that planning has been undertaken in a haphazard and slapdash manner. I am asking you to reject this application to encourage the council to present a more coherent and acceptable use for the site. This is a site which should be the ‘jewel in the crown’ on our seafront.”

Cllr Megan Armstrong added: “I would suggest that this three years temporary approval is being requested through sheer desperation and the regeneration team have nothing else to offer this site.

“Unfortunately this committee has now been put between a rock and a hard place because to refuse it would mean further dereliction on the seafront for an unspecified period of time.”
Cllr Ben Ingham was the only member of the committee who voted against the plans. The leader of the Independent Group on the council said: “It is wrong to risk making this permanent. This plans for failure as it is too long, so we should the council 12 months and force them to pull their figure out and get on with it.”

The committee though voted by 13 votes to one to grant permission for the temporary attractions to stay on the site for another three years.

After the meeting Cllr Skinner added: “I am delighted that planning permission has now been granted for Queen’s Drive Space to remain open and active for the next three years. This gives us the flexibility to listen and create the type of scheme that is the very best for Exmouth working with the Hemingway Design team and through their consultation with the people of Exmouth.

“A three year planning permission gives us the flexibility to deliver on our promise and to keep our seafront attractive and entertaining while we deliver on our commitment for long term regeneration.

“This is excellent news for the town and for all those people who visited last year and enjoyed a day of fun for all the family.  The feedback received from users just goes to show how ready the town is for a new and different offer on the seafront that includes play, good quality and local food and drink, and entertainment for all ages.  Queen’s Drive Space will ensure that this part of the seafront remains open, vibrant and exciting for visitors whilst new development takes place nearby.”

The overall regeneration of Exmouth seafront will take place in three phases.

Phase one, which is the rerouting Queen’s Drive and the building of a new car park on the site of the former golf course, has begun and should be completed by Spring 2019.

The new road will provide access to a brand new watersports centre, café and restaurant, new public space and beach access, for which planning permission has been granted, and is the second phase of the development. Celebrity chef Michael Caines will be opening a restaurant with a bar and café area as part of the development.

The third and final phase of the redevelopment will see a mixed use leisure area provided.

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