Licenses for temporary attractions on Exmouth seafront set to be granted

Plans for recorded music to be played on Exmouth seafront when a range of temporary attractions on the Queen’s Drive development site, including a dinosaur-themed play zone, have been scrapped.

The entertainment plans for the former Fun Park on Queen’s Drive as part of the temporary attraction for 2018 include a food festival and relaxation area, a mix of events including big screen and theatre, and a new free Jurassic themed play zone, and where approved by East Devon District Council planners last month by eight votes to four, with conditions attached.

The council have said that they hope to have the first attractions to be in place by the Spring Bank Holiday of May 26.

East Devon District Council’s Licensing & Enforcement Sub Committee next Wednesday will meet and are being recommended to grant a premises licence for the site, but only if plans for recorded music to be allowed to be played are scrapped.

The Premises Licence Application would see the site open from 9am to 11pm, Monday-Friday and on Sunday, and from 8.30am to 11pm on Saturday.

The applicants, East Devon District Council, also wish to be able to have a license for the performance of a play, exhibition of films and performance of live music from 9am to 11pm, Monday-Friday and on Sunday, and from 8.30am to 11pm on Saturday, although a condition is set to be imposed that means there shall be no more than three live music events held outside in any twelve months, with at least two weeks between events, and these shall be held only on a Friday between 4pm and 10.30pm or Saturday between 2pm and 9pm.

Supply of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises would also be granted from 9am to 10.30pm, Monday-Friday and on Sunday, and from 8.30am to 10.30pm on Saturday.

Conditions granted when the planning application was approved are that the site cannot be used after 11pm and noise levels from the big screen in the events zone of the site will be controlled.

The area used for the sale of food and drink will be restricted and a detailed design of structures on the site will be agreed in advance.

The committee also gave a clear message that they would like to encourage traders and events to minimise the use of plastics, especially single use plastics.

The approved application will see the former Fun Park be turned into three zones.

A food and drink area which would form an outside bar and seating area with temporary retail/catering stalls, a children’s play area with associated equipment and an events space that would host a number of outside events organised by a dedicated events manager, that includes a big screen. The existing boating ponds on site would be filled.

£150,000 is being invested by the council in the project and the newly planned dinosaur-themed park , complete with swings, slides, roundabouts and a pterodactyl nest to climb in, will remain East Devon, even if alternative plans for Exmouth seafront come forward at a later date.

Events as part of the temporary attractions zone could include: theatre, children’s’ activities such as circus training and storytelling, mini family festivals, outdoor cinema, sporting events, craft/farmers markets and music such as brass bands with afternoon tea.

East Devon District Council, Devon and Cornwall Police and the Council’s Environmental Health Team have agreed that they consider a Licensing & Enforcement Sub Committee hearing is unnecessary and that the premises licence application should be approved, but that the application should still be listed to members for their approval of the agreed position under the Licensing Act 2003.

The same meeting, due to take place on Wednesday, April 11, is also set to approve a premises licence for Seaton Tramway, which again does not require a hearing.

The licence would allow the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises only between 10am and 11pm, Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 10pm on Sunday, as well as the performance of a play, exhibition of films, live music, recorded music and performance of dance.

Work is currently ongoing on a brand-new £2million station for Seaton Tramway which bosses say will provide a modern, all-year round facility for visitors, and offer a small café and gift shop.

The new station has been designed for visitors to have a modern, inspiring and engaging experience, and so that they will be able immerse themselves in the fascination surrounding the history and operations of the tramway, and is due to open in the Spring.