How long has the Wetlands project been on the cards and why now?

When I went to the "Truth about the Wetlands" exhibition (NOT consultation - again) recently, I asked one of the Countryside Team at EDDC how long the project had been talked about. He said about ten years.

Which begs the question: if it has been talked about for many years, why is it suddenly progressing now? Ten years ago EDDC was in a much better financial position than it is now so could have afforded to purchase the extra 250 acres of marshland presumably at any time. There were lottery grants and grants from utility companies then as there are now.

So, what is different now except the Liatris plans - which give EDDC to use money from the regeneration area to fund the project? EDDC keeps telling us that the project CAN stand alone without this money, yet in the last 10 years it was never spoken of publicly and never worked on as far as we know.

Remember people: money used for purchase of acres of wetlands (that we can already enjoy in Seaton), if it uses Liatris money, will be at the expense of affordable housing AND community facilities.

I would like to say: your choice. But, of course, it isn't - it's whatever EDDC decides is best for us. Unless our new district councillors after the 3 May elections can discover a bite or even a bark!