A total of 18 businesses expressed interest in a tender linked to broader blueprints to develop the Queen’s Drive Space and Beach Gardens areas on the seafront, writes Local Democracy Reporter Bradley Gerrard.

Local Democracy Reporter eastdevonnews.co.uk

Firms are not bidding to complete a specific design or set of plans, as these will be developed by East Devon District Council (EDDC) in collaboration with those that are successful.

EDDC’s Placemaking in Exmouth Town and Seafront Group discussed the mooted development this week.

Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Nick Hookway, who represents Exmouth Littleham, said the bids by the 18 companies are now being assessed.

“Once we have chosen the correct team to do this, we will the sit down and go through the process of creating designs, which will go forward for consultation,” he said.

He added that the ‘extremely strict’ tendering process is being administered by Devon County Council on EDDC’s behalf, which he said was standard.

“It’s extremely well-run and they do all the advertising for us through the relevant journals and websites to inform people that the tenders are there, and they handle them and then give us guidance on how to assess them,” added Cllr Hookway.

Funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund of around £40,000 will be used to pay the organisations for their work.

The progress, while small, will be seen as important given recent criticism of the wider efforts.

During the meeting, resident Ann Membury questioned the process and said: “I think I represent many East Devon District Council taxpayers when I say this committee has spent too much time and money on a ten-year strategic plan and not enough money making improvements now.

“The first report sounded like waffle that is not feasible, and I would like it scrutinised to see if the money spent is justified.”

She added that around £150,000 had already been spent to produce proposals for the town and seafront areas.

And at a recent EDDC meeting, Exmouth Littleham representative Cllr Brian Bailey expressed ‘disappointment’ at the progress being made by the placemaking group – asking whether it could be closed down to save money.

The Exmouth placemaking plan curates ideas in five areas. They include Queen’s Drive and the Beach Gardens car park. Some 13 potential projects have been suggested for ‘phase one’ at a total value of £6million.

The vision, which is being spearheaded by EDDC, is to improve the town over the next decade and has been subject to various consultations over the past two years.

Some of the more controversial ideas – which are not cast-iron plans – include a multi-storey car park as part of development of the existing Imperial Road car park, and a new leisure centre.

However, the potential for a park-and-ride system has been more warmly received. As has the notion of creating a space for events north of Queen’s Drive Space, which houses some of the town’s replica dinosaurs.