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£20million of projects to regenerate Clacton and Jaywick Sands

£20million of projects to regenerate Clacton and Jaywick Sands

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Council leaders have described £20million of projects to help regenerate Clacton and Jaywick Sands as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”.

Tendring District Council’s (TDC) Cabinet has backed a whole host of schemes aimed at regenerating the town as part of a new Community Regeneration Partnership with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The council’s Cabinet approved the list of 15 projects and a delivery programme at a meeting on Friday, 20 December.

The projects include £3million to help improve Clacton Leisure Centre to become a new Active Wellbeing Centre and £2million for the NHS to contribute towards building a new urgent treatment centre and primary care facility at Clacton Hospital.

It also includes working with Essex County Council on a proposed £2.5million scheme to expand the Tudor Fields to Jaywick Sands walking and cycling route, which could also serve as an evacuation route and £5million for acquiring and repurposing a disused town centre building for community and cultural use.

Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Ivan Henderson, Deputy Leader of TDC and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver transformative interventions across our district.

Photos: Clacton Town Square, Clacton Leisure Centre, Tudor Fields Jaywick.

“These projects will significantly improve the quality of life, access to opportunities and health and wellbeing of our residents.

“The projects chosen by government ministers for investment have been developed through community engagement and include initiatives like improvements to Clacton town centre and the seafront public realm, improvements to open spaces in Jaywick Sands, repurposing disused buildings on the seafront to create an arts community micro venue and refurbishing and repurposing Martello Tower E.”

The council’s Cabinet approved the start of work on the first of four waves of projects as well as £100,000 to create a cultural masterplan for the town centre.

The first set of projects include £500,000 for a seafront art and community micro venue, £500,000 to improve tired shopfronts, £210,000 to provide three new community transport mini-buses and £200,000 to expand the work of the Jaywick Sands Healthy Homes initiative, which will help towards the acquisition of derelict and long-term vacant sites.

The second wave of projects is set to be brought to Cabinet for approval in early 2025.

TDC is working closely with Essex County Council, which aims to secure formal approval for a number of the schemes it will be leading on early in the new year.

These include the £1.3million town centre and seafront public realm improvements, a £230,000 project for upgrading and improving bus stops and shelters on bus routes and a £200,000 scheme to equip the planned skills centre at the Clacton Library site.

Councillor Lee Scott, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Regeneration, said: “This is an exciting package of proposals for Clacton and Jaywick Sands. The proposed improvements will make a difference to the lives of residents by improving sustainable transport connections, upgrading the public realm in Clacton town centre and creating opportunities for residents to learn new skills.

“We are pleased to be working with Tendring District Council on the proposals, which tie in closely with wider regeneration plans for the area.

“We look forward to engaging directly with residents on the proposed projects as they move forward.”

Historic England to fund study on iconic Dovercourt Leading Lights

Historic England to fund study on iconic Dovercourt Leading Lights

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A supplementary structural survey has begun this week on the Dovercourt Leading Lighthouses and Causeway after Tendring District Council (TDC) accepted funding from Historic England.

The Victorian structures – also known as the Leading Lights – guided ships around the deep-water Harwich peninsular until 1917 and are of historical significance as they are believed to be the only remaining pair of iron leading lights in England.

The aim of this survey is to assess the condition of the unsighted legs that are hidden deep beneath the sand to establish what works would be required to preserve these historic structures.

This follows a series of surveys completed in 2023 by a range of specialists, including conservation engineers, ecologists, architectural historians, and corrosion consultants, who thankfully found no emergency issues for these scheduled ancient monuments.

Peter Kotz, TDC Cabinet Member for Assets, said he was keen for the survey to get underway.

“We are delighted Historic England has supported this further study that brings us closer to restoring these iconic structures,” Councillor Kotz said.

“The Dovercourt Leading Lighthouse Restoration is listed within TDC’s Heritage Strategy and fundraising for this is a key aim in our Corporate Plan that aligns with promoting Tendring’s heritage offer.

“We would like to thank everyone who has engaged with our consultations on the Leading Lighthouses, which provided an overwhelming demonstration of how this famous landmark on the Harwich coast is both highly regarded and desirable as a tourist attraction. We will be exploring a wider consultation as the project progresses.”

Historic England’s Repair Grants for Heritage at Risk will provide £47,440 for specialist engineers to continue the structural and condition work on the Dovercourt Leading Lighthouses and Causeway. The additional £5,272 costs will be funded by monies remaining from the underspend of the structural survey performed last year; funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund.

Tony Calladine, East Regional Director, Historic England, said: “By supporting the survey work on the Dovercourt Lighthouses and Causeway we are proud to contribute to the safeguarding of these historic assets for people to enjoy, whilst maintaining a reminder of Harwich’s important naval and seafaring past, and the local area’s charming historic character.”

The hunt is on for Tendring’s most beloved heritage sites and historic buildings

The hunt is on for Tendring’s most beloved heritage sites and historic buildings

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The hunt is on to find the most beloved heritage sites and historic buildings in Tendring.

Tendring District Council (TDC) has launched a ‘Call for Heritage Sites’ as part of a six-month public consultation starting today [Monday, 2 December].

It comes after the council’s Cabinet adopted criteria for a Local Heritage List earlier this year.

It will help the council to create a list of sites that are important to local people, but do not necessarily meet the specifications to be listed as officially designated heritage assets.

Andy Baker, TDC Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, stated: “The Local Heritage List offers a unique chance for the community and the council to collaborate in identifying heritage assets that are cherished and distinctive elements of our local historic environment.

“Non-designated heritage assets include buildings, monuments, sites, places, areas, or landscapes that possess heritage significance worthy of consideration in planning decisions, even though they do not meet the criteria for designated heritage assets.

“For instance, war memorials or other structures of local significance can be nominated for inclusion on the Local List.

“As part of Our Vision, the council’s corporate plan, promoting our heritage – which in turn attracts visitors and encourages them to stay longer – is integral to everything we do.”

To submit a site for consideration, complete a Nomination Form and email it to locallist@tendringdc.gov.uk or post to: Planning Policy, Tendring District Council, Town Hall, Station Road, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 1SE.

The criteria against which non-designated heritage assets will be assessed can be found online at Criteria for non-designated assets.

For more information about the consultation, which runs until 2 June 2025, go to tendringdc.gov.uk/content/preparation-of-a-local-list.

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Volunteers dig in to help spruce up Dovercourt seafront

Volunteers dig in to help spruce up Dovercourt seafront

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Green-fingered volunteers have been thanked for helping to spruce up an overgrown section of Dovercourt seafront.

The Dovercourt Diggers group, which was set up by Tendring District Council (TDC), has been keeping busy over the past year by clearing a section of overgrown scrub on the town’s cliffs, near the Pavilion restaurant off Marine Parade.

More than 15 volunteers, including members of Community Voluntary Service Tendring, have helped TDC’s Open Spaces Team to clear the overgrown space and plant new olive trees.

Spruced up – the new garden area on Dovercourt seafront. Image: TDC

The dedicated volunteers have also been helping to create a small garden next to the clifftop shelter opposite Orwell Road, while the council team has replaced slabs at the shelter and installed a new ramp to ensure it is accessible.

A number of new benches have also been installed in the vicinity.

Councillor Adrian Smith, TDC’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “I would like to thank all the volunteers and our hardworking Open Spaces Team for their efforts to improve this area of the cliffs in Dovercourt.

Before – the overgrown site near the Pavilion restaurant

“Championing our local environment is part of everything that we do and it is marvellous to see the seafront looking great for residents and visitors alike.

“It’s wonderful that local people are involved in maintaining our open spaces, helping our residents to take real pride in our town.”

If you fancy rolling up your sleeves and pitching in with the Dovercourt Diggers, email seanbiswell@tendringdc.gov.uk.

Sunspot in Jaywick shortlisted for national award

Sunspot in Jaywick shortlisted for national award

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Sunspot Jaywick Sands
Sunspot Jaywick Sands

The Sunspot development in Jaywick Sands has been shortlisted in the prestigious Institute of Economic Development (IED) Annual Awards 2024.

The Sunspot has been recognised in the Social Value Champion of the Year category, sponsored by Social Value Engine, highlighting its significant contribution to social value creation and positive community impact.

Now open for a year and run by Tendring District Council (TDC), Sunspot is a £5.3million workspace development, featuring 24 commercial units, a covered market, event space, café, and other amenities.

The project received substantial funding from various sources, including £2.39million from the Government’s Getting Building Fund administered by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP), £2.04million from Essex County Council (ECC), and £816,000 from TDC. Additionally, part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation is being used for operating costs.

Councillor Ivan Henderson, TDC Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism, expressed his pride in the recognition: “The Sunspot project was designed to be a gateway to Jaywick Sands, and being shortlisted for this award confirms that we have achieved our goal.

“The development is thriving, attracting businesses and visitors alike. My heartfelt thanks go to everyone involved.”

Councillor Lee Scott, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Regeneration at Essex County Council, added: “It is fantastic to see the Sunspot recognised on a national level.

“This space is not only a hub for businesses but also a valued destination for residents and visitors. I extend my gratitude to all who contributed to making this development a reality.”

The winners of the IED Annual Awards 2024 will be announced at a ceremony on 6th November at BMA House in London.