LONG-awaited regeneration proposals for Seaton have been given the go-ahead by East Devon District Council.

LONG-awaited regeneration proposals for Seaton have been given the go-ahead by East Devon District Council.

The recommendations, which include large-scale financial commitments, were agreed by the executive board on Wednesday (December 2).

The improvements are all tied in with the recent approval for Tesco to build a supermarket off Harbour Road - providing it gains permission to bring landfill materials in by sea.

The report said it expected a visitor centre application in January 2010, open in the summer of 2011.

Councillor Ray Franklin, chairman of the Seaton Regeneration Programme Board, said: "It is very gratifying to see some real progress being made with the various elements of this scheme.

"It's like a giant jigsaw puzzle and it's been quite an effort assembling all the pieces. Now we have to start the long and painstaking task of putting those pieces together."

In all, the board considered 13 recommendations aimed at delivering Seaton's shopping list of requirements under the regeneration scheme.

Cll Steph Jones, member champion for Seaton, said: "I am delighted with the progress that has been made recently concerning the delivery of the regeneration in Seaton.

"This report shows very clearly the district council's total commitment to the regeneration programme and it is now time for Seaton to get behind this project and give it their 100 per cent backing."

Seaton town councillors have previously criticised EDDC for not investing in the town.

Cllr Jones added: "People who suggest that EDDC want to destroy the town have no idea of the amount of hard work that has been done to date by officers and members, and will continue to be done to ensure that Seaton is once again a thriving and viable community."

The gains agreed yesterday include:

* Committing �1.8 million from the land agreement to a visitor centre and cycle hub

* EDDC to act as client for the appointment of the visitor centre design and build

* A land deal linking the proposed new Tesco supermarket and regeneration site with the town centre

* Transfer of land to the north of the site to expand the Axe Wetlands nature reserve

* EDDC to match contributions from Seaton Town Council and Tesco towards the salary of a town manager

* Transfer of land at Elizabeth Road to Seaton Town Council, with �80,000 earmarked for improved youth facilities - in lieu of the former youth club

* A day nursery built by Devon County Council on the Elizabeth Road site to be operated by Pink Hippo, who currently occupy a building on the former holiday camp

* Agreement that interim accommodation for the Tourist Information Centre be provided by Seaton Tramway during the construction phase of the Visitor Centre

* Signage directing the public to alternative toilets when those at The Underfleet are out of use (The Underfleet toilets to be kept open as long as possible).