5th July 2021

Exmouth Town Council is delighted to be able to let supporters of the project know that planning permission for the siting of a dedicated storage facility on Queens Drive has now been granted by East Devon District Council. Construction and fitting out of the building is expected to be complete within the next two weeks.

The Town Council initiative aims to provide disabled people with greater access to the beach through the provision of specially adapted, all-terrain wheelchairs which will be hired out free of charge from the new premises. The wheelchairs are being generously funded by the Exeter Chiefs Foundation, the Clare Milne Trust and Devon Super Team.

Further work is ongoing behind the scenes and the Council hopes to open the facility as soon as possible – hopefully at the beginning of August.

The project, conceived initially and championed by Councillor Pauline Stott, has been under development for nearly two years and is being funded through community donations raised via Councillor Stott’s successful Crowdfunder appeal – with match funding from Exmouth Town Council, East Devon District Council, Devon County Council, The Norman Family Trust and the Freemasons of Exmouth.

Councillor Pauline Stott commented: “My ambition with this project has always been to enable as many people as possible to go to the beach with their families and friends, regardless of disability. Just imagine being in a position where you can see our wonderful beach but you are not able to go on it yourself… Well, hopefully, with Exmouth Town Council behind the project, everyone will soon have access and the project will succeed for many years to come.”

The Council is hoping to recruit a team of volunteers to help operate the scheme and anyone who feels that they can offer some of their time is encouraged to register their interest with the Council via reception@exmouth.gov.uk