Early-stage progress on Exmouth’s improvement plans is being made after a host of companies came forward to bid for work.

A total of 18 businesses expressed interest in a tender linked to broader plans to develop parts of the seafront area at Queen’s Drive Space and Beach Gardens.

Companies are not bidding to complete a specific design or set of plans, as these will be developed by East Devon District Council, (EDDC) in collaboration with those that are successful.

The’ placemaking in Exmouth town and seafront group’, part of EDDC, discussed the development this week.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Nick Hookway (Liberal Democrat, Exmouth Littleham) said the bids by the 18 companies are now being assessed.

“Once we have chosen the correct team to do this, we will the sit down and go through the process of creating designs, which will go forward for consultation,” he said.

He added that the “extremely strict” tendering process is being administered by Devon County Council on EDDC’s behalf, which he said was standard.

“It’s extremely well-run and they do all the advertising for us through the relevant journals and websites to inform people that the tenders are there, and they handle them and then give us guidance on how to assess them,” Cllr Hookway added.

Funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund of around £40,000 will be used to pay the organisations for their work.

The progress, while small, will be seen as important given recent criticism of the wider efforts.

During the meeting, resident Ann Membury criticised the process.

“I think I represent many East Devon District Council taxpayers when I say this committee has spent too much time and money on a 10-year strategic plan and not enough money making improvements now,” she said.

“The first report sounded like waffle that is not feasible, and I would like it scrutinised to see if the money spent is justified.”

She added that consultants WSP had already been paid around £150,000 to produce proposals for the town and seafront areas.

And at a recent EDDC meeting, Cllr Brian Bailey (Conservative, Exmouth Littleham) expressed “disappointment” at the progress being made by the placemaking group, asking whether it could be closed down to save money.

The Exmouth placemaking plan curates ideas in five areas, including Queen’s Drive and Beach Gardens car park, with 13 potential projects suggested for phase one with a total value of £6 million.

The vision, which is being spearheaded by East Devon District Council, is to improve the town over the next 10 years and has been subject to various consultations over the past two years.

Some of the more controversial ideas – which are not cast-iron plans – include a multi-storey car park as part of development of the existing Imperial Road car park, and a new leisure centre.

However, the potential for a park and ride system has been more warmly received, as has the notion of creating a space for events north of Queen’s Drive Space, which houses some of the town’s replica dinosaurs.