by Alan Quick

A PLAN for a multi-million pound visitor retail and leisure attraction near Tiverton, involving Sir Tim Smit, one of the creators of the Eden Project, has moved a step closer.

If built, Mr Smit told a group of Crediton residents and Crediton Town Councillors, the plan for Eden Westwood near Junction 27 could have many benefits for the town, including bringing in more tourists.

He added that businesses from the Crediton area could become suppliers and there were many options.

The ambitious proposals include a surf lake and beach, a food and drink centre and a designer outlet village, centred around a glass Ark.

The scheme had stalled after Mid Devon District Council failed to include it in its development blueprint for the next 20 years.

Councillors, at a recent meeting, decided to look again at the Local Plan, meaning the project could feature after all.

At the recent Crediton meeting, those attending with Mr Smit said that the 90 hectare site could create up to 3,500 jobs and as an example, surf boards made in Crediton could be sold and/or used at the surf lake at Eden Westwood.

Eight separate zones are proposed, including a concert venue, cinema, hotel and conference centre, upmarket motorway services etc but no housing is proposed.

There has been some criticism of the plan, including that it could just become a businesses distribution centre and less of a tourist attraction.

Fears also include issues surrounding the immediate local economy and whether it would detract from visitors going to other locations in the county or South West.

It has also been said that the scheme would not be “in keeping” with the attractions people would want to see.

What do you think of the plans for Eden Westwood?

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Write a letter, suitable for publication, to: The Editorial Manager, “Crediton Courier”, 102 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LF or email: [email protected] .