Community Action for Seaton's Regeneration Area, 80% owned by Tesco - a floodplain on a World Heritage site bordered by nature reserves, tidal river, the sea and the unspoilt town. SU4S is a state of mind - no members, no structure, no politics. SU4S has objected to 2 planning applications by Tesco, including one for a massive superstore/dot com distribution centre which led to the recent closure on the site of 400 tourist beds with the loss of 150 jobs,a gym and pool - all used by locals.
Welcome to the blog spot for all those who have an interest in the Seaton Regeneration Area - particularly the fate of the facilities at the Lyme Bay Holiday Camp. We hope to use this forum to pass on information to people and for them to give their views to us and ultimately to the developers and East Devon District Council.
posted by Fighting for East Devon's future @ 11:19 am
What are we standing up for?
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And while we're at it, SU4S is not a membership organisation of any sort, it is by and for the people of Seaton, it isn't a party, it isn't a club, it's a concept!
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3 Comments:
I also would like visitors to remind themselves to download the pdfs of the Local Plan and Regeneration Brief, links provided at right.
And to tell their friends etc about this blog and get Seaton talking!
SEATON REGENERATION ?
Being relatively new to the area and having a shop in Seaton since April, I am aware that comments made by a “newcomer” might be misconstrued.
I`ll take that chance in admitting that I do not know any of the history and none of the personalities involved but perhaps that provides a `fresh eye` with no preconceptions nor feathers to ruffle.
It would be difficult to find another town that has such an inferiority complex, but things can only get better – or can they ?
“Regeneration” of Seaton after so many architectural disasters free for all to see should provide the impetus to do better in the future. The sea wall catastrophe and the sea front blocks of flats are but two areas that spring to mind. That Seaton needs to progress is not an issue and so much is possible given some imagination from the developers, planners and elected representatives.
Frankly I have seen absolutely nothing original, interesting or indeed desirable to anyone other than the current land owners (who are these people ?) and their chosen developer. If Seaton really wants to commit hari-kari then let this misguided plan go ahead. The only beneficiaries will be the developers and the hidden owners behind this sad scheme.
Seaton residents, Seaton business, Seaton children present and future have absolutely nothing to gain from this project but a lot to loose, primarily a fantastic opportunity of a prestigious and imaginative development.
Questions that Seatonians might ask repeatedly to councillors and planners could include the following:
1) Flood plain developments have a nasty press and for good reasons. Who is actually going to sanction the import of roughly 2 metres of rubble etc upon which to build these 400+ dwellings ? Access to Seaton is by three roads only…do you live on or near one of these arteries? I`d be dead worried if I did ! Has anyone ever considered the number of loads of 9m3 lorries required ? Dredging `silt` from the estuary areas will spoil that too !
2) The arrival of some 400+ houses, none of which in view of the costs of building on a flood plain could possibly be within the reach of first time buyers, can only attract still more retired and probably “out of town” buyers. They will need supplementary facilities – doctors, dentists... Has any provision been made ? Is this really the type of future resident that Seaton needs ?
3) In demolishing the Lyme Bay Holiday camp, employment will be lost and not replaced save some shelf stacking and check out jobs. This is scary. Has the Town Council an answer to these concerns ? Have they tried to calculate the economic loss ? Is there ANYTHING in the plans for attracting and retaining holiday makers once the demolition complete ?
4) Young people of Seaton have nothing to look forward to in this plan. Where is the interest for them ? The Sports facilities the Swimming pool ? Looks like this deal is being done on the cheap and that the developer has a strange idea of `participation`.
Seatonians, you are being shafted. I should know as in another life in another country I acted exactly the same as the `friendly developer` Seaton is getting into bed with and who is about to ruin the only land left to save this town you live in.
5) Does Seaton really NEED stores such as TESCO/LIDL/FOCUS ? I suggest not.. Their arrival will undoubtedly sound a death knell to existing traders in the historic centre of town which is slowly being reactivated after decades of stagnation. These organisations are not philanthropists. They will look to monopolise the marketplace in short order – they have everywhere else ! Can Seaton claim immunity from normal operating procedure of these people ? I think not.
Ah, I hear you cry, it is easy to criticise, how about some constructive ideas ?
In reply (and admitting to not being the fountain of all wisdom), I feel that Seaton has plenty of housing of a traditional nature. Bungalows, new houses, old houses, Victorian houses - those that escaped the Stalin’s planners of the 1960`s and 1970`s. What Seaton has is something that very few towns on the south coast can offer, namely a flood plain with a Town Council willing to do something. It`s that something that is worrying. Modest “pack `em in” housing and stifling supermarkets on this land is a hopeless venture which should be water orientated and luxurious both in imagination, price and quality. Seaton needs an injection of quality and originality - it already has the quantity. In other words use the disadvantages of this site to produce an original, interesting “renewal”. Trying to master nature, particularly in a changing world will probably end in tears.
Richard Edwards / Seaton Wines
Seaton - "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea".
It is reputed that the holiday camp site owner has made his money from cassinos. The ogre of gambling is already on our doorstep - we could become the south coast gambling hotspot.
My preference is to build on the Nature Reserves, green tourism, sustainability in all aspects of life, the coming of the Sustrans cycle paths, care and respect for the environment and for others, and to provide a town regeneration (not "development") scheme which will befit the World Heritage Site designation and a future of pride and happiness for the inhabitants of our town. I do not wish to see a bog-standard development which, as it appears at the moment, could be absolutely anywhere.
I am in favour of distinctive architecture and carbon-zero buildings which are net exporters to the grid - we could all pay our way from electricity generated and fed to the grid.
There must be a renewable energy combined heat and power (CHP)plant for the regeneration area and an local ESCo to run it.
I would rather there be no development than a scheme which completely fails to live upto to 21st century knowledge and technology on sustainability. When so much is possible and so much expected for a World Heritage site, to make the regeneration of the whole town less than at least carbon neutral is to fail our future generations.
When all is said and done I think we should not be building on a flood plain as the costs, both obvious and hidden, will be too high and will preclude the normal benefits accruing to communities from Section 106 contributions.
The local primary school is expecting 106 monies to extend the school (for the extra families)and to replace ageing tenmporary classrooms. Will this leave any funding for community facilities otherwise lost - I think not. Also who wants to be living in/close to a 21st century slum prone to flooding and damp. How on earth did the planners get away with some of the flats in present-day Seaton - only 40 years ago. Ten years hence we could be saying the same about the new buildings. If they have to go on a flood plain then they should be Dutch designed and ecologically friendly. Finally I would like to say that I do not think a new supermarket and DIY store will benefit the town unless the Co-op moves into the supermarket site and their existing building becomes a community centre incorporating a youth centre.
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