Plans to expand outside areas at Seaton Jurassic

Seaton Jurassic is planning to expand its offering to visitors while highlighting the town's natural heritage, the urgent issue of climate change and our disconnect with living with nature.

The original planning application for Seaton Jurassic in 2013 included an area of development from the existing boundary to the edge of Sheep's Marsh, to the north of the centre.

Due to budgetary restrictions, this element of the approved application was never developed, but Devon Wildlife Trust, which runs the visitor attraction, is now in a position to develop this area and is working with East Devon District Council's Countryside Team at Seaton Wetlands and Seaton Tramway on a proposal.

Plans to extend the existing outside space of Seaton Jurassic, directly across the southern end of the car park, have been submitted to East Devon District Council. This would result in the loss of 18 car park spaces but would allow for the extension of the existing interpretation about 'Living Seas', and in particular would highlight the special qualities of Lyme Bay and the Axe Estuary Marine Conservation Zone.

The ground would be raised by approximately 80 cm to provide a disabled access footpath. Alongside would be a blue matted area signifying the Axe Estuary. The fence adjacent to the car park would carry on in the same style and height as the existing fence.

The side facing Seaton Tramway would have trees planted inside the existing chainlink fence all the way round to the boundary with Sheep's Marsh.

Leaving the current car park area, the second element would have a footpath around a raised, sloped central area of approximately three metres in height, which would have include play tunnels resembling burrows.

The external fence would change to the same style as the fence that runs alongs adjacent to the Underfleet. At its apex would be a gate to allow access to or from the garden.

The area would also feature a pond-dipping area with small jetty and seating around the sloped area.

The third element of the proposal, 'Living with Nature', would run parallel to the tracks of Seaton Tramway from the new gate and fence up to the ditch separating the current picnic area from Sheep's Marsh.

This area, currently just grass, would be 15 metres in width and would be freely accessible, with interpretation and a variety of objects to engage everyone with the importance of Seaton's natural environment and how we live with nature during a climate emergency.

The area will be separated from the car park and remaining grassed area by a fence of posts and rope. The route to Sheep's Marsh will have disabled access footpath with spurs of boardwalks, to mirror the Wetlands, a large bench and a four metre rope walkway just before the entry to Sheep's Marsh.

The full planning application is available to view on the East Devon District Council website.