The district council just handed in new plans for Exmouth seafront, bringing its vision a massive step closer to reality.
It offers a tantalising glimpse at what we can expect to see from the controversial Queen's Drive development - which recently saw its coast soar from £1.5 million to £3.1 million.
East Devon District Council is applying for extended planning permission.
That application does not include any residential development.
The first and second phases involve realigning the road and car park, funded by the council, before working on a £4 million water sports centre.
But the council's attention is now on the third and biggest phase of the project which involves a mix of leisure uses on the remainder of the golf site, the fun park and the Harbour View Cafe sites.
According to EDDC, Exmouth residents will have at least five separate opportunities to have their say on what will be developed at Queen's Drive during that third phase.
It could see shops, restaurants and even a hotel or holiday accommodation built on the coveted patch of land.
Before any development can happen, the watersport centre developers Grenadier Estates will be putting their plans before the public - consulting the community before applying for permission.
Throughout this phase of the project, there will be three further opportunities for the public to have their say on the future of the site.
Cllr Phil Skinner, Chairman of the Exmouth Regeneration Board, said: "Exmouth is our biggest town and it is changing as it grows.
"Investment in Queen's Drive will create new attractions, jobs and business for the town as well as enhancing the quality of the seafront as the Premier Inn and the Ocean have already done.
"We want to move forward with this planning application so that we can open up the beach by moving the car park and road then build out a magnificent watersports centre.
"Everyone will get to give their ideas on a new vision for the final phase of changes to the site.
"But some are doubtful that EDDC have given residents enough time to make their mind's up.
Cllr Megan Armstrong (Exmouth Halsdon) said: "I'm deeply disappointed that the district council stating there will be plenty of opportunities for consultation before the plans are approved.
"In fact, within the next few weeks these plans could be irreversibly set in stone.
"This is not what I consider to be working with the public who will no doubt feel extremely upset and angry that their views, yet again, have so far been completely ignored."
Louise MacAllister, spokesperson for the anti Queen's Drive development group Save Exmouth Seafront (SES), added: "Reserved matters applications like this are approximately 24 times more expensive just to submit than new outline applications.
"SES are disappointed that EDDC have taken this route.
"We would have preferred to see the less costly and more democratic option of full independent consultation followed by a new outline application which proceeds based on evidence gathered in a genuine consultation."
The extended planning permission will go before the council's Development Management Committee in the next few months.
