Vision for Exmouth Gateway not impacted by £4.4m funding loss

Ideas for various regeneration schemes in the town and along the seafront have been encompassed in a plan by East Devon District Council to create a blueprint vision for Exmouth.

The hoped-for redevelopment of the Gateway area, which includes the railway station, Imperial Road car park, retail space and the leisure centre, is arguably the most aspirational.

It  proposes to create a public space so “the relationship between the town centre, estuary, Imperial recreation ground and the railway station is strengthened”.

The plan, which is being steered by East Devon’s placemaking in Exmouth town and seafront group, envisages a new “state-of-the-art facility” with an open, pedestrianised area between the railway station and the potential new building.

Within this area, the plan proposes a new leisure centre and new theatre, with reconfigured bus stops, tourist information centre and play areas.

The ‘placemaking’ group’s chairman, Cllrr Nick Hookway (Liberal Democrat, Exmouth Littleham), said its plans for the Gateway area were “unimpeded” by the recent loss of £4.4 million of Levelling Up funding the town had secured.

The plan envisages a new “state-of-the-art facility” with an open, pedestrianised area between the railway station and the potential new building. (Image: LDRS)

That cash, secured by Devon County Council (DCC), would have been used to block up the subway, improve bike parking and cycle lanes, and widen pathways for pedestrians, but this work will not progress after residents lobbied to keep the subway open.

“The DCC scheme was very specifically limited to highways and pavements, whereas East Devon District Council, which owns a lot of land in the Gateway area, has its own aspirations about what to do there,” Cllr Hookway told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

“Land ownership is important, as some is owned by us, some by Stagecoach and some by DCC, and one of the challenges is to unlock the potential of that area to produce a place that meets everyone’s wishes.”

Cllr Hookway added that a key rationale for the placemaking plan, which proposes other schemes including in the Queen’s Drive area, Beach Gardens and Pier Head, was to court private investment.

“The [district] council doesn’t have a great deal of money to develop these plans, but you have to have a plan, and by doing so the aim is to provide the opportunity for businesses to consider ideas within the realms of the plan,” he said.

“It removes uncertainty, as it says what we want to do and businesses or developers can work with that.”

At the placemaking group’s most recent meeting, members were calling for some “quick wins” to help show the town some progress was being made.

A third consultation on the plans was held in March, which courted more than 700 online responses and around 26 emailed comments.

The meeting also confirmed that it would work to ensure a £45,000 grant linked to part of the plans was spent before a March deadline.

The money is for developing feasibility options at Queen’s Drive and Beach Gardens, two areas of the wider plan for the town and seafront.

In a document containing initial design briefs, schemes could involve an “inclusive events’ space” near the existing Queen’s Drive Space, and providing events’ infrastructure and sheltered seating.

Aspirations for Beach Gardens, near Exmouth Pavilion, include relocating 26 parking spaces to create a larger public area that could host events better, provide cycle infrastructure, and a play area for “all age groups”.

The council needs to decide which ones to draw up firmer plans for.

“It is envisioned that the character of the [Beach Gardens’] area is set to undergo significant transformations focusing on sport, arts, culture, and recreation,” according to a document outlining the wider Exmouth proposals.

“The Pavilion is a key cultural and entertainment destination. The Beach Gardens’ car park will be repurposed to offer high-quality public space, complementing the Esplanade as a hub for arts, sports, and culture.”

The £45,000 funding is from the government’s £2.6 billion Shared Prosperity Fund.

East Devon District Council secured nearly £1.8 million, part of which is allocated to Exmouth, over three years ending  in March 2025.

Beyond Queen’s Drive and Beach Gardens, there are also ideas for the Pier Head area.

The plan proposes relocating the 70 parking spaces there to “significantly enhance the sense of arrival for all” into this part of the town by sprucing it up.

That includes creating a more welcoming arrival space for visitors, especially those who arrive by ferry, and also designing an “iconic pavilion that acts as a seating/waiting area”.

But the proposals also mention that it could act as some form of recreation space.