An important ‘scoping exercise’ - which would form the basis of any regeneration of Sidmouth’s Port Royal and eastern town - looks set to be given the go-ahead tomorrow (Wednesday).

If approved, the £10,000 scheme would look at key information for any renewal project, including land ownerships and any design, engineering and environmental concerns.

It would also look at the potential costs involved in redevelopment of the area and what the land could be worth if it was sold on.

East Devon District Council’s (EDDC) cabinet will be asked to give the exercise the green light when it meets on Wednesday, January 6.

Some £8,000 of the total would be paid by EDDC, which owns the majority of the land around Port Royal, with the remainder offered up by Sidmouth Town Council.

A report to cabinet members recommends that a decision is taken to get started with the scheme, which is expected to take no more than three months to complete.

In the report, EDDC deputy chief executive Richard Cohen says that there is general acknowledgement that the area requires development and renewal.

He says: “The Port Royal vicinity at the eastern end of Sidmouth seafront is an area that does not meet the high standards of visual or amenity quality of the rest of the town.

“In partnership with Sidmouth Town Council and as principal landowner, EDDC is proposing to undertake a scoping exercise to investigate ways forward that can bring about investment and development to renew the area and create a high quality mix of uses.

“It is expected that the work will take no more than two or three months to start and finish.

“A regenerated Port Royal will be a benefit to our residents, visitors, businesses and local work force.

“This is very much a first stage investigation but with a desire to lead on to a successful renewal of the eastern end of Sidmouth’s seafront.”