Thank you Moonwolf. It is the same as the ASDA Team, the more people do it, the more likly it will be to be published. I am hoping to get a editorial still in the paper bringing the attention of the forums and the site so please watch this space.

i can't tell you how sad all this is making me feel. it is clear for everyone to see that those who oppose asda and development on the exe are literate in their arguments and knowledgeable in their accounts of how exmouth will be affected.

those for the asda/development are relying purely on unsubstantiated claims by the corporation and the council... both of whom, we all know, are only interested in the money and have little vision for the future of exmouth, england, uk, the world.

i wish their was more fight and urgency in exmouth, that people would look to themselves and to their community rather than accept what is thrown at them by powerful organisations.

the shudder i get when people look at me, smile and say 'yeah, but i want asda to come 'cos it's competition for tesco!' it's horrible. the education system has played it's part in creating mindless, unquestioning citizens happy to put there trust in bodies that have already been proven to be destroying our planet in many ways!

for all those who know this is a terribly bad step for exmouth, who know with their minds and their hearts, i suggest we all make a massive effort to come together, get involved, get active. even if we don't keep them out, we might sow a few seeds of concern in those residents who have yet to find any autonomy in their own lives.

On the appropriateness, or otherwise, of the estuary side site, can you imagine EDDC suggesting an Asda (or similar) in the Kiln Car Park at Budleigh? They would be laughed out of office.
Why should our Exe estuaryside - which in ecological terms is more important than the similarly beautiful Otter - be treated any differently?

Although I am a keen supporter of the Exmouth Citizens' Forum, I believe that they have muddied the waters by using the slogan 'No Asda on the Exe' - that almost implies that they would be happy with a Morrisons, etc. I think that the issue should be 'No Commercial Development on the Exe' (although that wouldn't fit on the badges!!). Many Exmothians do want a new supermarket (but not necessarily a superstore), and I consider that they should be made more aware of the impact regarding the location.
First, fight against EDDC to prevent the sale of the land to any developer, and any future commercial development on the estuary - then, as a separate issue, fight against having an Asda, Morrisons, etc. in town. Liverton Business Park would be ideal for a competitor to Tescos - they could then battle over prices, to the benefit of the customer. Somerfields could remain (but Somerfields, please sort yourself out - you're a mess!)for those shopping in town.

The reason for "No Asda on the Exe" is purely because Asda have purchased an interest in the site currently leased by Devon County Council to Stagecoach. EDDC have nominated ASM/Walmart as their preferred option on this site because, as things stand, ONLY ASDA can bid, having purchased the option on the lease. This means that if ANY other potential developer wants to bid on the site, EDDC would have to pay compensation to ASDA for their loss of "interest" There should be NO 40,000 sq ft monolith on the Exe whoever the developer represents.

What I want to know, and what the people of Exmouth need to ask is, when did Asda take out this option, and why? I think it's a no brainer. They and their competitors have been buying up options in this way for years, all over the country, just waiting for the moment to pounce.

It's a long way away yet, I hope, but those who know where the archery club is on the top road round the common to B.Salterton should be aware that the fields opposite are ALREADY in the hands of a local developer who will sit tight until such time as EDDC grant permission to build. The profits made will be immoral, and every bit of available land will be back filled towards Exmouth with properties, increasing the size of our lovely town even further, and thereby putting more pressure for EDDC to provide shopping facilities for the thousands who will live there.

35 years ago I lived in Little Meadow. At that time local searches revealed there were no plans to extend Exmouth any further. Now tell me those of you who have only been here for 5 minutes, where do you see this stopping if we want to retain the ambience of our seaside town??

Having been here for over 40 years, I can tell you that if we want to retain a town in which we want to bring up our children, this MUST be stopped, and it's up to us to keep putting the boot in "_meta_phorically of course!" otherwise EDDC will continue to use Exmouth as a dumping ground for whatever suits them, whilst retaining the charm and peacefullness of their own little tory areas in East Devon.

I am not a member of ECF (in fact they don't have members as such only supporters) but I do generally support much of what they stand for. I think they are treated very badly by EDDC and others who should be impartial office holders. I think we owe them a debt of gratitude for sorting out EDDC at the times of Unlocking Exmouth 1 and Unlocking Exmouth 2. It is clear that they have massive support both within and without the town; a 10,000+ petition (which I signed) was the biggest _expression_ of public opinion ever experienced in Exmouth.
I have a great deal of sympathy about their (ECF) choice of words at times as there are always plenty who seek to ascribe various meanings to whatever form of words they use. I think the Referendum which they organised was on the issue of "No development on the Estuary side" but that too drew criticims. Frankly, I don't think it possible to come up with a form of words that will satisfy all.
I reason that they say "No to Asda" because the only threat at the moment is from Asda. Rather than assume that they might say yes to Morrisons etc, one should ask them- but then their answer would scuttle some of the conspiracists. When they were first formed it was said that they were against any form of development on the estuary (i.e that it should stay as it is) I know, talking to some of them, that they would welcome a greening of the area and the removal of the awful parts of the bus station.
This whole exercise is skewed by the fact that EDDC own part of the land and are desperate for some capital receipts (which cannot be ringfenced for Exmouth) Devon CC also own a part including the bus station.
If you care to look at the EDDC website, at things like the sustainable community plan (http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/ed_sustainable_community_plan-2.pdf) or the Statement of Community Involvement (http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/plg-ldf-sci_march_2008.pdf) I believe that you will find that the _object_ives relating to public consultation and involvement are at odds with a council desperate to make money by selling the family silver.
EDDC as owners (in trust for the public) and as the planning authority, are both judge and jury in this matter.
Frankly, the sooner they are abolished the better.