Experts begin work on study for Sidmouth’s Port Royal

The independent consultants tasked with helping Port Royal fulfil its potential have held their first meeting with town and district councillors.

The 16-week scoping study for the site will see Jillings Heynes conduct a ‘significant’ data-gathering exercise, which will include consideration of historical studies and ideas from the community already shared in a consultation.

Recognising the ‘tremendous’ interest in the future of Port Royal, director Ed Heynes said there will be a meeting with key stakeholders and a wider, public session, when people can further express their views, thoughts and ideas directly to the consultants.

The firm will then look at producing a set of recommendations that will balance community expectations with what is commercially viable and possible in the area.

These recommendations will be considered by Sidmouth Town Council and East Devon District Council, which jointly commissioned the £10,000 project.

Town council chairman Councillor Jeff Turner said: “Everyone agrees that this is one of the finest sites on the south coast which has never fulfilled its potential and that this presents a great challenge, as well as an enormous opportunity.

“We very much look forward to hearing the recommendations of the independent consultants who have the expertise to look at all the options, hear what the community has to say and then make some recommendations which can deliver the right outcome for the town.”