Project to transform Exmouth’s seafront begins in earnest

Visitors to Exmouth seafront during the festive period will see changes to the Queen’s Drive area as work has begun on East Devon District Council’s transformational redevelopment project.

Contractors are now on site to deliver the first phase of the project; the rerouting of Queen’s Drive behind the Queen’s Drive car park and the building of a new car park on the site of the former golf course.

The new road will provide access to a brand new water sports centre, café and restaurant, new public space and beach access.  In other news about Exmouth seafront, the council’s application to run multiple temporary attractions on part of the site next year has been submitted for planning consideration and Grenadier, the water sports centre developer, has just announced that the food offer at the centre will be run by Michael Caines, our local Michelin starred chef.

One of the first elements of the work is the planned removal of No’s 1-37 Maer beach huts, clearing the site in readiness for the new section of road and the development of the water sports centre. This was approved by East Devon District Council’s Development Management Committee this year as part of the new development.

The work on the removal of the beach huts will start soon and will be completed before Christmas to avoid disruption to visitors to Exmouth seafront during that time.

The remaining 68 beach huts and the chalets, situated along Exmouth Seafront, continue to be available for hire all year round.

Cllr Philip Skinner, Chairman of the Exmouth Regeneration Board, and East Devon District Council’s portfolio holder for the economy, said: “Our regeneration and investment in Exmouth seafront is moving forward at a pace now.  We want to get as much work done out of season so that residents and visitors get to see and enjoy new facilities next year.”

Photo caption: An aerial view of Queen's Drive, Exmouth.