East Devon District Council has launched a public consultation over changes to street trading in the district.

Street trading is currently allowed, by permission, in almost all of East Devon except areas of Sidmouth.

The policy changes would see the practice allowed in those areas, as well as on Sidmouth Esplanade from 1 May to 1 September.

The new plans would also see administrative fees introduced, and applications would need to meet requirements such as not selling items that are offered by local services and businesses.

The areas of Sidmouth in which street trading is prohibited, but proposed to be allowed, are:

• All Saints Road;
• Bedford Square and including the unnamed street leading from Bedford Square to the Esplanade;
• Blackmore View;
• Chapel Road;
• Chapel Street;
• Church Street;
• Coburg Road between Coburg Terrace and Church Street;
• Dove Lane - and the lane between Dove Lane and New Street;
• Fore Street;
• Fortfield Place;
• Fortfield Terrace;
• Glen Road - south of Manor Road;
• Ham Lane and East Street - from the Esplanade to Fore Street;
• High Street;
• King Street;
• Manor Road;
• Market Place;
• Mill Street - west of its junction with Russell Street;
• Millford Road - north of the ford;
• New Street;
• Old Fore Street;
• Peak Hill Road – east from its junction with Cotmaton Road;
• Prospect Place;
• Radway, - south of the Post Office;
• Salcombe Road;
• Sid Road, - south of Redwood Road;
• Station Road - between Knowle Drive and The Esplanade;
• Streets adjoining the Three Cornered Plot (known as The Triangle);
• The Beach – from the mouth of the River Sid westwards to a point opposite Clifton Cottage;
• The unnamed street between Elizabeth Hotel and Marlborough Hotel (now Dukes);
• Vicarage Road, - south of Connaught Road;
• York Street;
• Vicarage Road, - south of Connaught Road.

Councillor Joe Whibley, the chair of EDDC's Licensing and Enforcement Committee, said: "Ultimately, the aim is for us to have a street trading policy which complements the amazing businesses we have here in East Devon, while also being sensitive to the needs of our residents.

"The idea of street trading is to offer our residents and tourists a greater choice of products, attracting people to different towns and villages in East Devon, with the aim of improving the economic benefits for everybody."

Honiton High Street and part of Axminster town centre have ancient charters which allow weekly markets to take place. The proposed changes do not apply to those areas.

The consultation ends on Sunday 26 February. To have your say either email your views to [email protected] or send them in writing to Licensing, East Devon District Council, Blackdown House, Border Road, Heathpark Industrial Estate, Honiton, EX14 1EJ.