Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation & Environment (PTE/16/44) seeking approval to two schemes to complete the Exe Estuary walking and cycling route from Exeter via Dawlish Warren to Dawlish Town Centre, attached. 

(Councillors Connett, Hook and Westlake attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation & Environment (PTE/16/44) seeking approval to two schemes to complete the Exe Estuary walking and cycling route from Exeter via Dawlish Warren to Dawlish Town Centre, for which deemed planning consent would be required for the Council’s Development Management Committee.

Members acknowledged that following the extension of the Exe Estuary trail between Turf Lock and Powderham, Hazelwood Drive in Dawlish Warren and Exeter Road in Dawlish, the proposed schemes would provide a safe and attractive link into Dawlish Town Centre, making it more attractive and accessible for both local people and visitors, to walk or cycle to the Town Centre and Railway Station, and benefitting the local economy. The schemes would complete the route between Dawlish Warren and Dawlish Town Centre, which had formed part of the successful application for CCF (Coastal Communities Fund) of £1,300,000 approved in January 2015.

The Cabinet noted representations from Members present on the need to address and implement proposals for further improvements at Powderham and Starcross to facilitate and manage the number of people using the cycle/walkway.

The Head of Service’s Report also incorporated an Impact Assessment relating to the possible impacts of the proposal, which had been circulated previously for the attention of Members at this meeting in order that as part of its determination of the next steps in the process the Cabinet might have full regard to the responsibilities placed upon it to exercise its Public Sector Equality Duty, under s149 of the Equality Act 2010, where relevant. While the environmental aspects of proposals would be fully assessed through the separate Environmental Impact Assessment process, the Assessment concluded that the scheme would make a positive impact on the communities involved, provide a more attractive and safer route for users, accessible to all, and prove to be a beneficial addition to the County’s cycle network. 

The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, environmental. risk management, equality and legal considerations and Public Health impact) set out in the Head of Service’s Report and/or referred to above having been considered:

It was MOVED by Councillor Hughes, SECONDED by Councillor Clatworthy, and

RESOLVED

(a) that approval be given to the scheme designs shown in Appendix I to Report PTE/16/44 (drawing numbers B15014_12 and 13), at an estimated cost of £760,000;

(b) that the Head of Planning, Transportation and the Environment be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highway Management and Flood Prevention and the local County Councillor, to make minor amendments to the scheme design.

[NB: The Impact Assessment referred to above may be viewed alongside Minutes of this meeting and may also be available at:  http://new.devon.gov.uk/impact/].