Community celebrates start of Seaton Jurassic
One of the longest serving campaigners for a visitor centre in Seaton, Donald Campbell, joined with nine-year-old Seaton Primary School pupils, Aimee Kenworthy and Taylor Lee to ‘break the ground’ for Seaton Jurassic today (Friday 26 September).
They were joined by representatives from all the funding partners, local community campaigners, volunteers and schoolchildren to celebrate the official start on site for the building of £4 million visitor centre.
Earlier in the day pupils from the school helped the contractors move plants to make way for the construction to take place on the car park in The Underfleet, Seaton. The plants will be re-planted at the rear of the site on the edge of the remaining car park.
Councillor Ian Thomas, cabinet member for economy at East Devon District Council, said: “This is a historic day for the town and for all those who have been involved for so long in campaigning for a centre as well as the many organisations and individuals who have worked tirelessly to make it happen. It is important that we mark this occasion and look forward to next year when the centre will open bringing a huge economic boost to the town and region. We continue to work hard to ensure that Seaton Jurassic is a success and the catalyst to further regeneration in the town. My thanks go to all those who have contributed to make it happen.”
Following today’s celebration construction work will start on site and visitors can see the progress through fencing surrounding the construction site. The development of the project can also be seen by visiting www.seatonjurassic.org , following @seatonjurassic on Twitter or ‘liking’ on facebook /seatonjurassic.
It is expected that the first part of the new centre including a shop, cafe and the Tourist Information Centre, will open as early as July 2015 with the full centre opening later in the year. The existing entrance to the The Underfleet car park will be closing on 29 October at which point access to the remaining car park with around 150 spaces will be from the Marsh Street end of The Underfleet. An overspill car park for a further 70 spaces will be created on the opposite side of The Underfleet, subject to planning approval later this year.
Harry Barton, chief executive of Devon Wildlife Trust, who will manage the centre, said: “Today is the climax of more than a decade of hard work by many people. It is also the start of a challenging but very exciting 15 months, at the end of which we will have a fully operating visitor centre.
"Our aim is to open the welcome area, cafe and shop by next summer and the completed exhibition halls by Christmas. We have a fantastic team of people working together to make it happen, and I am deeply proud to be part of it.”
Seaton Jurassic will take the visitor on a unique journey back in time to experience the story of evolution, wildlife and geology. It will raise awareness of Seaton’s unique location on the Jurassic Coast; the only place with examples of Jurassic, Triassic and Cretaceous eras.
Donald Campbell, one of the founding members of the Seaton Visitor Centre Trust which has campaigned for a centre, said: “This is so exciting after all these years of campaigning for a centre to see it become a reality is a dream. I am honoured to be asked to break the ground for the building work to actually start and delighted to share the privilege with one of our younger generation who will benefit and learn from the centre for many years to come.”
The town’s existing Tourist Information Centre will be demolished to make way for the new centre and is now using a temporary facility adjacent to the Seaton Tramway terminus. Once the new visitor centre opens next summer, the Tourist Information Centre will operate from within the first hub of Seaton Jurassic.
Councillor Gaynor Sedgwick, Mayor of Seaton, said: “I am delighted and excited that after so many years of planning, fundraising, determination and sheer hard work by so many people this special day has arrived when we can celebrate the start of the build. I have no doubt at all that Seaton Jurassic will have a positive and lasting economic impact on the town offering visitors and residents a first class attraction of which Seaton can be proud.”
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 County Council Councillor Roger Croad, cabinet member for community and environmental services, said: "A lot of hard work and dedication by many organisations and individuals has gone into getting this project to this point. It's an exciting prospect for the local community and no doubt there will be a lot of interest as the site develops.
"This will be a great asset for Seaton and all of the communities along the Jurassic Coast. I'm sure everyone will be looking forward to the opening of the centre next year."
Kier was appointed following a tender for the building work and work started on site last week with the arrival of the site offices and safety hoardings.
Brian Rice, area manager for Kier Construction, Devon & Cornwall said: “We are thrilled to have been appointed as the main contractor for the new visitor centre. It has been a real journey getting to this point and the hard work and determination of the team and campaigners has made it happen. Visitors will be able to enjoy their own unique journey back through time starting right here in Seaton. Cutting the first turf today signifies the commencement of construction and our site team can’t wait to get started.”
Seaton Jurassic has benefited from tremendous support locally with the Seaton Visitor Centre Trust and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage team campaigning for many years. Local people will be key to the centre's success going forward with opportunities to be involved as volunteers, fundraisers and ambassadors.
