Seaton's seafront enhancement scheme may still go ahead in some form, as discussions with the district and county councils have opened up.

Having already spent more £50,000 on the project, Seaton Town Council announced in December it would no longer be taking forward its plans to redevelop the seafront, having hit a number of procedural and financial concerns.

At the time, the town council admitted the project was "beyond the scope and resources of the town council", and would have been better led by either Devon County Council or East Devon District Council.

Planning permission for the enhancement scheme was granted in 2017 and it would have included pedestrianisation of sections of the seafront, demolition of the existing public toilets and moridunum and construction of a new building, alterations to the highway layout and a new pedestrian crossing, to allow formation of new public space with raised seating and siting of seasonal huts for commercial use.

The decision to scrap the scheme sparked much disappointment among Seaton residents, and the town council has now been in discussion with local companies, East Devon District Council officers and councillors of both East Devon and Devon County Councils to look at ways in which enhancement of the seafront might be realistically taken forward and in what form.

A statement from Seaton Town Council today said: "Officers at EDDC are currently undergoing a review to see if there is any way in which EDDC may assist the town council moving forward and the town's ward councillors have set up a meeting with planning officers at East Devon to establish what would be required, if a new application were to be submitted.

"Once this work is concluded, Seaton Town Council will bring an initial report to the next scheduled meeting of the town council thereafter to discuss future options or alternatives.

"Whilst the funding of the scheme remains a fundamental consideration, when all the information is available, fully costed options can be explored and members of the public will be able to attend.

"The town council understands that this is an emotive issue and will ensure that further updates are provided when possible to keep the public informed.

"The improvement of our town is a collective effort with offers of help from both public and private entities. All parties only wish for a bright and prosperous future for the town that we all call home.

"We will continue to work tirelessly to achieve that."

The subject is expected to be raised at tonight's virtual meeting of the town council.