ERaTA special public meeting held on 10th september

At this meeting the general public were invited to comment upon the way that the money that has been received by EDDC for the Elizabeth hall site should be spent in Exmouth. the main outcome was that there is very little support for the splash proposal although it was commented that to have an indoor play area would keep the facilities open and usable for la longer period.To move the Road over to allow the splash is also not wanted by the general public
There was considerable discussion about the public toilet provision on the Sea front in particular and a desire to have more toilets available and of a much higher standard was expressed. the demolition of Harbour view was not supported as it was believed that to smarten the building up and possibly to add an extension on the water side would be sufficient to bring the building up to a standard that would benefit the town and be very acceptable to residents and holidaymakers alike.
A new cafe at Orombe point combined with a visitor centre was declared a necessity and that as a considerable amount of money had already been put into the visitor centre scheme by the town Council and by public donation there must be a sum to kick start the project swiftly, although the cafe cost should be provided by the operator.. The proposed rebuild of the Mamhead slipway was heavily criticised for being expensive and in the wrong place, a survey of the slips in Exmouth having been previously publicised identified several alternatives and should be reconsidered.
Going onto the Imperial sports ground it was considered undesirable to sell the land for a supermarket or any other sort of development There  target should be to update the present facilities by converting the running track to an all weather surface and allowing the rugby club to remain on site with an extended lease together with help to update and extend the club house.
Briefly to summarise


things that are wanted in Exmouth.

• More better toilets,
• An improved and updated sports ground 
• A slipway to replace the Mamhead slip, but at an alternative place!
•  A cafe/ visitor centre at Orcombe point
• EDDC to employ a specialist fundraiser to access grant funding for projects.
• some part of the existing play park could be covered or made into an indoor facility
• the road at the splash zone to be traffic calmed 
• although it was said that the loss of the Elizabeth hall had resulted in the Town no longer having a public hall in a usable position and it is desirable to have a replacement although there was no firm suggestion about where this should be provided.
• Greater real conversations and consultations about the way that Exmouth people see their town progressing in the future.

Things that are not wanted in Exmouth

• Another supermarket on the sports ground
• another hotel or "holiday accommodation" on the splash site.
• the road at the splash realigned

My comment   If the Exmouth Rugby club should wish to move away from the sports ground at Royal avenue then no one is convinced that they should be prevented from doing so but the cost of the move should then not be covered by the public purse if the sports ground is to be upgraded and improved with a longer lease to enable them to progress and improve their standing in the game.