Seaton Heights redevelopment could bring some 50 extra jobs to the town

Plans for a £15million leisure complex bringing more than 50 jobs to the Axe Valley have finally got the go ahead.

After months of delay the hilltop scheme for a boutique hotel, restaurant, spa and gym with a number of luxury rental lodges at Seaton Heights has been approved by district council planners.

It will be called The Seaton Gatehouse, Hotel, Spa and Leisure Resort.

As part of their agreement the owners Lyme Bay Leisure will provide enhanced footpath connections to the town; make a contribution to the Wetlands Project and, crucially, introduce an ecology and landscaping plan to guarantee the flight paths and habitats of rare bats and other wildlife on the site.

A spokesman said: “Lyme Bay Leisure will announce prior to Christmas their revised designs and their intended commencement dates.

“This is very good news for local people as the new development will create construction jobs for local builders and tradesmen, as well as approximately 50 full and part-time jobs from chambermaids to fitness instructors, marketing and sales personnel, to catering and restaurant staff.

David Sullivan, Chairman of Lyme Bay Leisure, paid tribute to Neil Parish MP who enthusiastically supported the project through the “torturous but necessary” planning process. He also thanked Seaton Town Council and local residents for their support in huge numbers and East Devon District Council for their support, pragmatism and trust with this hugely important site.

James Hetherington, Managing Director, expressed his relief at obtaining the planning consent and was eager to get on with building the project and kick starting Seaton’s latest and long awaited regeneration project.

He said: ‘’It has been hard work and costly getting to this stage, but now the real work begins. I am eager to get on with it and bring this site to life again and start welcoming visitors and local people to experience the new exciting facilities that the hotel and resort will bring.”