Power plant on Sidmouth ‘wish-list’

A NEW school site, two-storey seafront car park and energy efficient heat and power plant were proposed by residents given free reign to pen a wish-list for Sidmouth’s future.

This map shows how housing, town-centre pedestrianisation, light industrial estates and various park-and-rides were all suggested for specific sites- as were a new health centre and swimming pool for Woolbrook.

There was also a plea for community facilities and a market at The Ham, a car-free zone with a jetty for boats, and bike storage lockers along the seafront.

Moving Sidmouth’s lifeboat station westwards, only allowing electric cars to access the town-centre, wind turbines and utilising tidal energy were also mooted- though those quizzed couldn’t reach a consensus on any of the suggestions.

Seafront public toilets and an increase in boat use in a bid to reduce car journeys were also mentioned. A cross section of representatives from local politics, business, community, environmental, social and minority groups were invited by East Devon District Council (EDDC) to have their say during a public consultation last May.

Views expressed, revealed for the first time last month, were considered when the authority formed its controversial vision for the future of the region. A workshop was staged at Kennaway House in March 2010 as part of EDDC’s Local Development Framework core strategy consultation process.

Participants were provided with large scale maps of the town and asked to draw in the features and assets they regarded as of most value and importance, and the changes they would like to see. These included where and how development should occur.

“Participants were essentially given free reign to draw on, and add text and colour, to the maps in any way they saw fit,” said an EDC spokesperson.

“Groups were asked to reach a consensus, or at least a majority view, before committing pen to paper.”