The Environment Agency and East Devon District Council have spent £12 million of Government funding, building new and improving existing defences at The Royal Avenue, Camperdown Creek and The Esplanade in Exmouth.
The flood risk to residents and 400 businesses in the area has been reduced from a 4% chance of flooding every year to a 0.5% chance. This accounts for climate change and rising sea levels, with the option of improving the defences in the future.
Further improvements should not be needed before 2045 based on current predictions.
On the dawn of the first trees being planted at the Woodland Trust’s new site - recently named Yonder Oak Wood thanks to a public vote - the charity has set out its plans to create a haven for wildlife.
Among these include the planting of 13,000 trees this winter, which will form part a mosaic of woods, wood pasture, scrub, groves and glades.
Join The Woodland Trust for a ‘behind the scenes’ guided walk at Yonder Oak Wood tomorrow, Saturday, 15 October.
The site is not open to the public until December but we are holding an exclusive one day only experience to see what we’ve been doing and what’s planned.
Or you can get involved with the first plantings on:
3 and 4 December 2022
10 and 11 December 2022
Bookings will open in early November.
Exe Estuary wildlife refuges featured on ITV news this week
In case you missed it, Imogen Salmon from our Habitat Regulations team appeared on ITV West Country this week to talk about the Brent Geese feeding at the Exmouth duckpond, the landing area at Dawlish Warren, the patrol boat and wildlife refuges.
The winter migration of Brent geese to the Exe Estuary often attracts birdwatchers, and it's also drawn the attention of ITV News!
Every year, Brent geese arrive in the estuary from Eastern Siberia, a journey of 3,000 miles, to spend the winter there; read more here.
Thanks to everyone, whether on foot or on the water, who has avoided this area so far. Leaving these birds undisturbed to feed and rest sets them up with the best chance of survival and successful breeding when they leave Devon and return to Siberia in the spring.
Third water fountain installed on Exmouth seafront
L to R: Councillor Marianne Rixson from East Devon District Council, Debbie from Plastic Free Exmouth, Councillor Tim Dumper from Exmouth Town Council and Ash from Plastic Free Exmouth.
Free, fresh water can be enjoyed by all, thanks to a new water fountain on Exmouth seafront.
The fountain, near the toilet block at Foxholes carpark, has been installed in hopes it will help cut the use of single-use plastic and reduce litter in the town.
As part of the Lower Otter Restoration Project (LORP), there will be essential sewer replacement works being carried out in Budleigh Lime Kiln Car Park this winter.
The works will reduce the capacity of the car park for approximately 6 months, from now until March 2022.
The work involves directional drilling to put in a new outflow pipe under the beach, river estuary and headland to replace the exposed outflow pipe.
During the construction of the footbridge phase of the project for the coastal path there will also be a compound at the north end part of the carpark close to the playground area which will require the suspension of some car parking bays to allow access. This is also expected to be in place until March 2023.
Scottish Power will also be installing 2 x 22kwh Electric Vehicle charging bays close to the playground as part of the Deletti (DEvon Low carbon Energy and Transport Technology Innovator) project, this work is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
These significant works have been scheduled for the quieter winter months and the car park will remain open, however car parking capacity will be limited. We apologise in advance for any disruption during this period.
Come along to our Honiton Community Day next Friday
East Devon District Council and Ian Williams are hosting a community day for housing tenants at St Paul's Estate, Honiton next Friday, 21 October from 11am - 4.30pm, where you will get a chance to:
Discuss your property and even get minor repairs done on the day.
Help out with the big tidy up at St Paul's Estate, where there will be strimming and weeding.
Free advice on keeping your home warm.
Find out more about the community and training benefits Ian Williams offer in the local area.
Check out the beautiful garden displays from the winners of the Housing Service Garden Competition
East Devon District Council recently hosted the Housing Service Garden Competition of 2022. Some of the photos from our fantastic winners are shown here!
This year, the categories were:
Overall winner
Front garden
Back garden
Communal garden
Tubs and hanging baskets
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our four sponsors for their very generous donations: St Bridget Nurseries, Thistle Insurance Group, Ian Williams Ltd and Kings Garden Centre.
The standard was higher than ever making it incredibly difficult to judge. We already cannot wait to see next year's garden creations!
Come along to a FREE networking event at East Devon Business Centre next week
Friday, 21 October 2022, 9.30am-1pm.
Come along to our networking event at East Devon Business Centre in Honiton, to explore innovative digital technologies, find out about free training and support for your organisation and play with some really cool tech - including Virtual Reality headsets!
Join us for a range of masterclasses, including:
Virtual Reality
Video Capture & Editing
Virtual Learning Environment & Digital Course Finder
As the DESME project is fully-funded by the European Social Fund, it is all completely free – so come along to find out more!
A free climate change event is being held in East Devon at the end of the month
Practical solutions for a transition to a low carbon economy
This session, led by industry experts, will help demystify this emerging trend and give you some practical suggestions for taking your business forwards.
You will gain lots of advice and support helping you to take the first step towards a low carbon economy. Find out what is coming down the line, learn from case studies and hear about the funding situation.
If you want to stay up to date with the latest news about grants for East Devon businesses, or other news about business opportunities, funding and training, you must subscribe to East Devon Business news
Latest news and newsletters
East Devon District Council also produce regular newsletters and news on different topics, in the last week we have issued the following which may be of interest:
Over the next week the following East Devon District Council meetings are taking place. Any public meetings will be streamed live to the Council’s YouTube channel, and in the event of difficulties these will be streamed on our Facebook page instead.
Join over 30,000 people using our smartphone app and get simple personalised collection reminders, the latest collection updates and tell us about a missed collection.
Our Creative Cabin is teaming up with the Blackdown Hills AONB for Half Term art activities at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary. For details on admission prices, please visit Ferne Animal Sanctuary.
Join photographer Sam White in his camera obscura in the THG Garden. Climb inside the camera obscura tent to discover how a camera really works and create your own family portraits.
To keep in touch with the Wild East Devon Team follow them on Facebook and Twitter
Have your say on how much council tax the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue service should receive
Every year, communities and businesses in Devon and Somerset are asked about how much council tax the fire and rescue service should receive. This consultation is open now until midday on Wednesday, 30 November.
They would like to hear from as many people as possible across Devon and Somerset to better understand their residents’ views.
Please spare a couple of minutes to complete the online survey.
Should you or anyone you know be unable to complete this online please call 01392 872354 and leave a message with your name and number.
Whilst we are all aware of the pressures many of us are facing now and in the coming months, your feedback will help to make more informed decisions for the next financial year.
Coughs and colds in children are common at this time of year and are usually relatively mild, but parents are being urged to get their children vaccinated against flu, which can be much more serious.
All primary school children, and some secondary school children (years 7, 8 and 9) are eligible for the flu nasal spray this year, which is usually given at school by school nurses.
Parents will receive a link to the online form from their child’s school. When invited by their school, parents must complete the online consent form for their child to get the flu nasal spray.
We plan to send out our next bulletin on Friday, 21 October 2022.
Please forward this email to anyone you think would find it useful and encourage them to sign up.
You can also can share this update on social media and in any online groups you're part of by using the view it as a web page link at the top of the page.
