The new Exeter Quay flood prevention wall has been branded an eyesore by wall experts.
The wall, which was recently built in front of Bar Venezia, was erected as part of the works in the area.
However, its design has been heavily criticised by many, including members of a prestigious group of artisans and builders.
Peter Dare, a member of the Stonemason’s Guild, told DevonLive.com: “The new flood prevention wall on historic Exeter Quay was a shocking construction, such an eye-sore, and will be with us for a long time.
“The flood prevention scheme good and I understand it had to be done, but the new stone wall is horrendous.
“Even when my wife first saw it she said “What an earth is that?”
“We have a historic quay, let’s have something that looks good.”
Exeter City Council
The flood defence construction is still ongoing by the quay, and traders have expressed their frustration at the ongoing works.
Eyesore building work, dust and noise has been disrupting life at Exeter Quay since 2016, with phase one of the works starting downstream two years previously.
And though it is was originally hoped that the work would be finished within the first winter season, complications - including the unearthing of an 18th century cobbled street - has delayed proceedings.
A spokesperson from the Environment Agency said: “The new flood defences around the Piazza Terracina area of Exeter’s west bank constitute an important element of the defences for the City.
“The location and form of defences across the scheme were developed following extensive consultation with the Public and with statutory approval bodies and are being built in line with the planning consent issued by Exeter City Council in 2015.
“The heritage of the area immediately adjacent to the defences dates from the property development in the 1980s.”
Flood defence at Exeter Quay - what's been done so far?
Season 1: Nov 2016 – March 2017
November 2016
Work started at the Quay
Dec 2016 - March 2017
Significant archaeology and buried services uncovered regularly halting works. This archaeology resulted in only 50% of the works planned for season 1 being undertaken. Construction of upstream flood defence at Cricklepit Leat were deemed not possible and a new planning application for a downstream defence was submitted.
April 2017
Work halted for the summer season – temporary surface laid to allow Quay to open.
Season 2: Oct 2017 – March 2018
October 2017
Work resumed at the Quay
March/April 2018
Snow and heavy rainfall caused river levels to be too high to work on parts of the project.
February / March 2018
New cobble road laid along length of quay
March 31
Area re-opened to public
April 2018
Twin leaf steel flood gate installed outside the Waterfront restaurant.
May 2018
Work schedule re-arranged to allow access for Exeter Marathon
June 2018
Steel flood gates complete and works cleared from outside Bar Venezia (work schedule re-arranged to allow access for Age UK run)
July 2018
Completion of works necessary to allow the Exeter Rowing regatta to take place
The wall is also the latest issue of contention for Bar Venezia, who have hit out at the Rockfish for their construction works.
Rockfish, which is owned by celebrity chef Mitch Tonks, is currently being built on and around the seating area outside Bar Venezia – a spot which has been used by the venue for 20 years.
Owner Medhat Awad described the impact of its loss as “drastic” for his business, claiming that it has taken away "90 per cent” of his outdoor space.
In response Mitch Tonks said that he would rather work with the business, than argue with it, despite claiming that he had received a number of threatening emails about the matter.
He said: "We have had a huge amount of overwhelming support for [Exeter Rockfish], and, oddly, some negativity.
"The site is not being developed by Rockfish, the owner of the land, our landlord, has had historic planning permission for a number of years and he has chosen to develop the land and incorporate a Rockfish restaurant which fits well into the area.
Exeter pubs
"He could have fenced it off at any time.
"We understand the frustration from Bar Venezia but we understand it was never land that belonged to them and was used on a good will basis until the development."
Rockfish is set to open its Exeter restaurant in November.
Last year's Rockfish Crab Festival
