Promising start for Seaton Jurassic
Following last month’s ‘turf cutting’ work is moving at a pace on the site of the new visitor centre, Seaton Jurassic. The old Tourist Information Centre has been demolished so that construction on the new centre can begin and the new car park entrance, at the Marsh Lane end of The Underfleet, is on schedule for completion by the end of the month.
The short stay car park is now restricted to disabled users only and from 24 October will be closed completely with all traffic following the signed roadway to the long stay car park. The existing entrance to the car park is expected to close on 29 October at which point access to the remaining car park will be from the new entrance. From the project’s final completion next year this car park will provide 150 spaces including 15 for disabled users. During the building this may vary slightly due to the storage of equipment and safety during the access and exit of construction vehicles.
Councillor Ian Thomas, East Devon District Council’s cabinet member for economy said: “We are delighted that the visible signs of the project getting underway are there for all to see and we can look forward with excitement to the building appearing over the coming months. We are trying to keep disruption to a minimum but with a project of this size and complexity some is inevitable.”
Tourist information is being provided from the temporary portacabin, located next to the Tramway terminus. During demolition the contractors, Kier Construction, were careful to relocate as much of the planting as possible, recycle much of the material keeping landfill waste to a minimum.
Brian Rice, construction manager for Kier Construction, Devon and Cornwall, said: “We have made a good start on site with the demolition now complete. Construction on the main building will now start and people will be able to watch this progress. We are very proud to be a ’considerate contractor’ ensuring good neighbourliness at all times.”
The planning application for an overflow car park opposite the centre on The Underfleet has been submitted (ref no 14/2293/FUL) and is available for comment via East Devon’s website. Information is also on display in Seaton Town Hall.
The car park, which will be used during busy periods, will be managed by East Devon District Council, and has come about following concerns that parking may become an issue after the opening of Seaton Jurassic.
Although it will be necessary to remove the majority of the trees on this site, none are of high quality or have preservation orders.
New planting will surround the new car park to complement the landscaping of Seaton Jurassic.
The environmentally friendly building with enhanced landscaping, gardens and planting all around it, along with its integral wildlife garden will replace the existing large, concrete and unsightly car park leading to an overall gain in green space.
Redundant shrubs and bushes from the west boundary of the Seaton Jurassic site will be reused wherever possible.
Views were sought before submission of the planning application from local residents in Marsh Lane and Jubilee Lodge and a number of suggestions informed the final detailed design.
Seaton Town Council’s planning committee has supported the application and acknowledged the efforts of the District Council to address local concerns for additional parking with a landscaped, environmentally friendly scheme.
Seaton Jurassic has secured more than £4 million of funding with contributions from East Devon District Council, Devon County Council, Seaton Town Council, Heritage Lottery Fund, Coastal Communities Fund, Garfield Weston Foundation and Fine Family Foundation. Planning consent for the project was given in June 2013. Devon Wildlife Trust will manage the centre.
