Future of Seaton water feature to be decided by the public - polling begins on bank holiday Monday

Seaton residents are being urged to help decide the future of the town’s Seafield Gardens.

East Devon District Council wants them to turn out in force on bank holiday Monday (August 27) and have their say about how the area should be improved and upgraded.

People can go along to a three-hour voting session – between 1pm and 4pm - at an all-day street fayre on The Esplanade.

They will be able to say which of the two options they would prefer to see on the site of the large water feature in Seafield Gardens.

The ageing water fountain/waterfall, which is owned and maintained by EDDC, has been broken for some time. The council has a budget that was originally put aside to repair the fountain, but which could now be used to provide a new feature for the area.

Last autumn EDDC collected ideas from residents on how this area could be improved and better used. These have been narrowed down to just one alternative design, the other being to retain the old fountain.

The new option includes some amphitheatre-style seating looking out to sea, tables that are also chess/draughts tables and interpretation boards explaining something about the history of the area.

In addition, Seaton Town Council has requested that repairing the existing fountain and leaving it in place should be added into the consultation. It has agreed to take it on and pay for all the water, maintenance and future repairs if this is the most popular option.

If the alternative, low-maintenance, option is chosen, then EDDC will continue to maintain the area.

Officials say it may be necessary to organise extra voting events depending on how many take part in Monday’s poll.