A final draft Place Plan for Jaywick Sands will go out for consultation later this month after it was backed by senior councillors.
Tendring District Council’s (TDC) Cabinet approved the document go out for further consultation at its meeting on Friday (10 November).
The Place Plan is a long-term strategy for Jaywick Sands, and includes a mixture of suggested ‘quick win’ actions to improve the area as well as a wider vision spanning 20 years.
Andy Baker, TDC Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing, said he was keen to hear people’s views on the final version of the plan, before it was adopted.
“This is a vision and ambition for what Jaywick Sands could be in the future,” Councillor Baker said.
“We have already seen some fantastic work take place in the community: new council homes, the Sunspot development, and the Healthy Homes team working to improve the standard of housing locally. This Place Plan will build upon that, particularly the quick wins – demonstrating this plan, once approved, will not just sit on a shelf.
“We have made changes to the original version based on the previous consultation, with some really positive engagement with the local community, and I would encourage people to again have their say in this next round of consultation.”
Quick wins included in the draft Place Plan include making Brooklands one-way to traffic, improvements to parks and gardens, better beach access, and improved footpaths bus stops and alleys.
Longer-term strategic aims include securing funding for improved flood defences which both protect the community without blocking access and sight of the beach – one of Jaywick Sands biggest assets.
The cost of completing all of the actions is estimated at £120million, over two-decades, and the plan sets out where this will require external funding. Of this total, £84million (70%) is the estimated price tag of the preferred flood defence option.
Cllr Baker added: “Having a fully-costed plan means we can be realistic about what is needed – externally – to deliver it, and shows we are serious about achieving it.”
The initial version of the Place Plan went out for consultation in Autumn 2022. Since then work has been ongoing to consider the comments made, and factor in updated information from partners, and TDC’s Planning Policy and Local Plan Committee considered the revised version at a meeting last month.
The next public consultation will begin on 20 November, with an online survey and in-person exhibition events being held around Jaywick Sands. It will run until the New Year.
