Seaton regeneration: Do you want to speak at crucial meeting?

THE format of a landmark planning meeting at Seaton Town Hall has been announced by East Devon District Council.

A special meeting of EDDC's Development Management Committee will take place on Tuesday, September 15, to consider proposals for the Seaton Regeneration Area.

The meeting will look at planning applications from Tesco, Sainsbury's and the Axe Riverside Company.

Due to the public interest in these applications, the council is expecting a large number of people to attend the meeting and anticipates that a significant number will wish to speak.

In advance of the meeting, members of the Development Management Committee will have had a tour of all the sites to be debated so they are familiar with them.

Before the meeting starts at 2pm. doors will be closed as soon as the 200 public seats have been filled. People will be admitted on a first come first served basis and priority will be given to those who have notified EDDC that they wish to speak.

A public speaking session will be set aside before councillors deliberate about the proposals and this period will be limited in terms of overall length and the time each speaker may have. People will be asked not to repeat points made by previous speakers. Any groups that wish to comment should nominate a single spokesperson.

If you wish to speak, you should write to Mr Chris Lane, Democratic Services, EDDC, Knowle, Sidmouth, EX10 8HL. Or you can email clane@eastdevon.gov.uk

Clearly mark your request: SEATON SPEAKER.

Councillor Paul Diviani, committee chairman, said: "We know that there is a great deal of public interest in these proposals and it is only right that people should be able to watch and speak. But the process needs to be dignified and democratic. I will therefore be managing the meeting very tightly in terms of how long people have to speak. Once the public speaking session is over, I will not allow any interruptions or interjections.