“A large majority of residents were in favour.”
.
Reimagining the seafront at Sidmouth could involve something a little more creative and actually quite useful.
This could include a jetty or pier for a regular ferry service, a lagoon created by a third offshore island, safer anchorage for passing sailing craft, and all sorts of offshore interest and activity:
Beach Management Plan: creating appealing public spaces – Vision Group for Sidmouth
.
The Vision Group for Sidmouth was founded in part to address the issue of ‘what to do with Port Royal’ and its 2006 Report covered several proposals:
A large majority (more than 9-to-1) of residents were in favour of a pier or jetty at Port Royal. In the commercial survey, 50% of responses felt that a jetty or quay would improve their business.
The original Vision Group report – Vision Group for Sidmouth
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: VGS and PRSG
.
This was largely updated in the Port Royal Steering Group’s report of 2010/12:
Investigate a jetty or reef but not a full-blown marina (see Appendix 1.2)
Install a jetty as dock for Lyme Bay water bus and other shallow draft vessels
Development Brief Cover Sheet-2
Development Brief Spring 2012-2
Appendices 1 & 2 – Spring 2012
.
Back in the spring of 2013, the town council applied for funding for a jetty at Port Royal – to facilitate a “waterborne transport system”, aka a ferry, along the Jurassic Coast
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: waterborne transport and a jetty
However, the application didn’t work out:
.
Then in late 2015, an architecture competition was launched to look afresh at Port Royal and its shoreline:
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: complete the online questionnaire
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal and the Eastern Town >>> “We will get it right.”
.
And the winner was… a jetty:
.
Then there was the controversial Port Royal Scoping Study in 2015/16:
PORT ROYAL SCOPING STUDY & CONSULTATION
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: presenting the evidence
.
There were proposals in 2017 to spend developers’ funds on… a jetty/pier
Futures Forum: Community Infrastructure Levy projects considered at Town Council > reports
.
And there was the putting together of the Neighbourhood Plan:
A skate park and water park featured repeatedly, as did a pier or jetty, and they said any development of Port Royal should consider the needs of teenagers and young adults for social engagement, and sports and leisure facilities.
Sid Valley Consultation
The special identity of the area as a place which connects the sea and the natural environment gives rise to the overwhelming support 92% of respondents give to the area as a focus for sea based activities and in promoting the fishing heritage (89%) of the town. This view is further emphasised by the 82% support for a pier or jetty. (Second Residents Survey: Executive Summary Page 9)
A NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN FOR THE SID VALLEY 2018-2032
.
All of which is connected:
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: anticipating a Regeneration Board >>> a summary of the issues