Latest news with #EDDC
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Four East Devon parks recognised among the best in the UK
Four parks have been recognised for their outstanding quality. Connaught Gardens and Peak Hill Slope in Sidmouth, Manor Gardens in Exmouth, Seafield Gardens in Seaton, and Seaton Wetlands have each received the Green Flag Award for 2025, marking them among the UK's best green spaces. The Green Flag Award is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces and is managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy. Councillor Geoff Jung, East Devon District Council's (EDDC) portfolio holder for environment, said: "Thank you to every single person involved, from staff to volunteers, for keeping these spaces beautiful, accessible and thriving. "We're proud to see four Green Flag Awards again this year and hope to grow this number in the future." The awards reflect the hard work of EDDC's Streetscene and Countryside teams, as well as volunteers who help keep the sites welcoming and well-maintained. In Exmouth, the Friends of Manor Gardens work with Streetscene staff to maintain the gardens' colourful displays. Green Flag judges were impressed by the horticultural standard and team commitment. In Seaton, a Kew Gardens-trained volunteer has helped improve sustainable planting and wildflower areas at Seafield Gardens. In Sidmouth, Streetscene staff and Sidmouth in Bloom volunteers have been praised for keeping Connaught Gardens attractive despite rain, sea air, and poor soil. Seaton Wetlands, managed by EDDC's Countryside team, welcomed more than 100,000 visitors last year, including 52 school and educational groups. The site's artificial sand martin wall successfully supported breeding birds for a second year, with several raising two broods. The Green Flag Award sets the standard for well-managed parks and green spaces across the UK and internationally. It is awarded under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Daily Mirror
28-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Stunning UK seaside town takes drastic action to stop homes falling into the sea
A quaint yet underrated UK seaside town has unveiled a master plan to help tackle coastal erosion and save more than 40 homes from potential danger - to the tune of £1.4 million A charming seaside resort under growing threat from crumbling cliffs has unveiled a £1.4 million plan to help protect the town. Nestled in the heart of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, and surrounded by the idyllic East Devon National Landscape, lies the tourist hotspot of Seaton. Boasting over a mile of shingle and golden sand beach that effortlessly melts into crystal-clear waters - the town is famed for its dramatic backdrop of cliffs. Seemingly worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Seaton offers a more laid-back atmosphere, but still has all of your quintessential seaside must-haves. Often touted as the natural capital of East Devon, Seaton is a great base to hike through nearby nature reserves, get up close and personal with wildlife, and explore ancient fossils along the beach. It's also become somewhat of a haven for water sports, offering thrilling activities such as kayaking or paddleboarding. However, in recent years, the stretch of coast has been hit with several landslides and ongoing erosion - putting more than 40 homes, including a care home, at risk. To tackle the issue, East Devon District Council has devised a £1.4 million improvement scheme - which starts next month. The work, which is being managed by a partnership of East Devon District Council (EDDC) and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, known as South West Flood and Coastal, will include adding more large rocks (known as rock armour) at the base of the will also refurbish and remove wire baskets filled with stones that support the cliff base next to Check House seawall so they can carry out repairs to it. The council states the improvements will make the area 'safer and more resilient' to the effects of the sea, and is expected to deliver almost £5 million in long-term benefits. Work will commence on August 26 and should be completed by November. As a result, sections of Seaton Hole beach will be closed 'periodically' but will remain open 'when possible'. Local businesses will remain open and accessible as usual throughout the works. "While there may be some minor disruption over the summer, this work is essential," said Councillor Geoff Jung. "It will make Seaton Hole safer and more accessible for everyone, and help protect properties on the clifftop." The councillor urged tourists to keep a 'safe distance' from the work area and to avoid climbing on the rocks or near the cliff. "They are unstable and pose a serious risk," he added. Councillor Paul Arnott, Leader of the Council, said: "This part of the coast has seen repeated landslides and ongoing erosion. It's vital that we act now to protect local homes and ensure this beautiful area remains safe for future generations."
BBC News
06-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Grants up to £30,000 on offer for East Devon businesses
Grants of up to £30,000 are available to help businesses in East Devon in the fourth round of a funding project. East Devon District Council (EDDC) said the new round of funding was available for the region's small is part of a scheme to help local businesses "grow diversity and improve their productivity", the council said. The Innovation and Resilience Fund is funded by the government but delivered by the council, the local authority added. 'Maximum local benefit' Councillor Paul Hayward, the council's portfolio holder for economy and assets, said the scheme had "already helped a range of businesses across the district bring ambitious projects to life". He added: "We're looking forward to supporting even more ideas this time around."Hayward said the fund had been "shaped" in partnership with councillors to ensure "fairness and maximum local benefit".He said all businesses with a strong project idea were encouraged to apply for grants between £3,000 and £30,000. Businesses can apply for capital grants to help fund innovative or growth-focused projects. Applicants must provide 30% of the total project costs in match funding.A full policy document is published on the council's website and expressions of interest opened on have until 16:00 BST on 23 July to deadline for full bid applications is 15 August, by 16:00 BST, the council said. Businesses can only submit a full application once their expression of interest has been approved.
BBC News
16-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Second phase of urgent Exmouth sea wall repairs complete
The second phase of urgent repair work to Exmouth's sea wall has been completed, a council has Devon District Council (EDDC) said the "critical phase" of the project involved installing 150m (490ft) of steel sheet piling, extending the defences from the phase one works at the Sideshore Development to the old lifeboat said the combined cost of phase one, completed in 2024, and phase two was £3m, funded by the government and Jung, council portfolio holder for the environment – operational, said it was vital the emergency works were carried out "urgently". Closures lifted The council said the improvements would strengthen the seawall against storm damage and coast erosion, providing vital protection for local homes, businesses, and essential seafront said phase one and two works were timed to take place during the winter months in a bid to "reduce the inconvenience to the absolute minimum".The council said the promenade path, seafront cycle lane and Queen's Drive had all reopened following the works, adding heavy machinery had been removed from the said temporary safety fencing would remain in place around grassed areas until new seed had taken added that phase three, residents' and businesses' feedback would play a "vital role in shaping the final appearance of the seawall".
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Radius CoWork, EDDC create new position to support local small businesses
Radius CoWork and the Erie Downtown Development Corporation (EDDC) are teaming up to support small businesses. Both organizations have created a new business support coordinator role that will provide expert resource advice for Erie's entrepreneurial community. Erie Insurance moves up on Fortune 500's list of America's largest corporations Financial consultant and business advisor Jenessa Norton has been hired to further EDDC's initiative to revitalize the downtown area. Downtown leaders said there's huge demand for business services in Erie, and they believe this effort will grow. Erie Co. owes over $500,000 after ECGRA audit comes back clean 'This role is going to enable us to accelerate both the start of new entrepreneurial ventures small businesses in our community to accelerate the growth of those businesses so that they get bigger faster that they provide new jobs and more ecnomic opportunity in our community so ofcourse were on a really great trajectory for over a decade but erie needs to pick up the pace,' said Sean Fedorko, founder and executive director of Radius CoWork. The position is funded through the Shaping Tomorrow grant from the Erie Community Foundation.s Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
