Protests against seafront redevelopment

Protestors say the parking spaces are vital for the tourists

A protest is being held on Saturday against plans to redevelop a Devon town's seafront.

Four thousand people have signed a petition objecting to proposals to redevelop Seaton in east Devon.

The plans include building over an existing car park and creating a new retail area.

Many local people are objecting to the plans and say the redevelopment would be out of character with Seaton's architecture and history.

It's a bit unusual in that we are protesting to keep a car park, not get rid of one Sandra Semple

The plans have been commissioned by the South West RDA in conjunction with East Devon District Council and a six-week period of consultation is just getting underway.

The plans include proposals to build over the Underfleet car park and redevelop the surrounding area.

"It's a bit unusual in that we are protesting to keep a car park, not get rid of one," said one protestor, Sandra Semple.

"We want to retain our car park since tourists won't visit if we don't have one and tourism keeps the town alive."

She says there are also objections to the proposed retail area.

"They want to have more shops when about a third of the town's shops are currently empty," she said.

A spokesman for East Devon District Council said they could not comment whilst the consultation process was under way.