Seaton: locked in a spiral of decline - article in Midweek Herald
In response to the article above, I have sent the following email to the Press Office of East Devon District Council:
"In an article entitled "Seaton: Locked in a spiral of decline" an EDDC spokesperson (anonymous) is quoted as saying:
"Seaton exhibits many of the characteristics identified in the report [on the decline of seaside towns]. This includes a massive decline - almost 50 per cent in bedspace capacity in the town over the last 20 years. This means fewer people staying overnight in the town and spending money. There is also significant leakage of expenditure out of the town to other centres such as Exeter with residents spending their money in shops elsewhere. Traditional employment opportunities are declining"
This gives the impression that Seaton is different (and negatively different) to other towns in East Devon and in need of the "special treatment" that only a current planning application can remedy. I wish to know (in writing)
1. Who is the person responsible for this statement?
2. What evidence do you have for the statements above?
3. What is the corresponding like-for-like situation in Exmouth and Sidmouth in the last 20 years compared to Seaton?
4. What is the amount of leakage (per person) of expenditure to Exeter and other towns in Seaton - what is the evidence?
5. What is the amount of leakage (per person) of expenditure to Exeter and other towns from Sidmouth in the same period as (3) above?
6. What evidence is there that more people from Seaton are spending their money elsewhere compared to people in Sidmouth?
7. How do you justify the statement about bed spaces in Seaton when the holiday village currently has 400 beds occupied on average 80 per cent of the time all year round for 50 weeks of the year? Seaton has 60% of the total bed spaces in the entire area from Branscome to Axmouth and north to Colyton - all of which will disappear if the current planning application is allowed to go ahead.
8. If bed spaces are declining why it planned for the holiday village to be demolished and replaced by day visitor attractions? Where will day visitors stay if we lose 380 beds per night?
Manipulation of facts to suit expediency does EDDC no favours."
posted by Fighting for East Devon's future @ 2:14 pm
5 Comments:
It is probably true that bed spaces in Seaton have declined, making it vital that we hold on to those we have now. The level of occupancy of those bed spaces shows that there are still people who wish to holiday in Seaton, and spend their money here.
But the Town itself has had enough of EDDC taking our money and spending it elsewhere. We have regained a sense of pride with the fight against Liatris. They have regenerated our community by putting in such a stupid application. So be warned EDDC - if Seaton does not have its due from you in future the peasants willr evolt.
I agree, we will no longer put up with being ignored by the EDDC.
Well done for this outstanding letter Sandra. You're our star!
Well, if eddc flout their own guidance and allow the Liatris plan through, the Midweek Herald will be able to move from "spiral of decline" to "death of a seaside resort"
While we can move from "there is no public consultation" to "done deal"
What criteria does the unknown official apply? Decline and decay in a community can be reversed given the will and the resources. The council should be ashamed of the statistics if they represent failure, it reflects directly on their ability and commitment to our community.
Absolutely. And they make no comparison with Sidmouth and Exmouth to show EXACTLY how much worse off we are. Indeed, if we are, why is this? Doesn't it point to some lack of ability in EDDC rather than some fault of Seaton?
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