Cotterton


 * Cotterton – a town in Transition ** [[image:http://www.devon-stay.com/pictures/budleigh_salterton_beach.jpg width="739" height="236"]]Cotterton is a small seaside town with a population of 8000. The town lays at the mouth of the **River Cott**, where the estuary forms an area of reed beds, grassland and grazing marsh, an important haven for migratory birds and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The town also draws its water supply from the river. The town also draws its **water supply** from the river, as well as using it to output **sewage.**

The pebble beach, sand dunes and cliffs are part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage site, although this is an arrangement of geographical convenience, rather than being correct from the geological time point of view. The town is surrounded by **arable** farm land that is mainly used for the production of vegetables. The grassland around the River Cott is also used to graze cattle.

The town is almost entirely residential, with most businesses being situated in the High Street, Fore Avenue and Station Street. The town is a popular **tourist area**, with the beach being particularly popular with water sports enthusiasts. Nearby Dalhon Forest is used recreationally by walkers and mountain bikers, as well as being a major source of timber. Near the town centre is a park, known as The Green. The sand dunes behind the beach are also an important **nature reserve**.

The average age of the town’s population is decreasing as young families move into the area. Cotterton Secondary School is an old building and needs to be **rebuilt** in order that the facilities meet the demands of the changing town.

The community of Cotterton has now decided to join the growing **‘Transition Town’** movement and needs to work towards sustainability of its resources. It's our job to help Cotterton to achieve theit goal of being totally sustainable. We need to think about the following areas:
 * Electricity Production
 * Producing our food
 * How we use our water resources
 * Maintaining our soils and minerals
 * Building sustainably
 * Managing our recreation spaces
 * Disposing of the waste we produce

We also need to think about the effects we have on the different habitats in the Cotterton area such as:


 * Grasslands
 * Woodlands
 * Greenspaces and parks
 * Coastal areas

Head here to find out more about how we are going to manage each of these resources.

To look at why Cotterton needs to consider each different factor, check out Cottertons sustainability aims.