Council leaders have approved £12.25million of projects as part of a major bid to regenerate Clacton and Jaywick Sands.

Tendring District Council’s (TDC) Cabinet has backed a further six schemes as part of its Community Regeneration Partnership with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The council was awarded £19.8million from the Government last year for 15 exciting projects aimed at helping to regenerate the town, with the first four getting the go-ahead in December.

The council’s Cabinet approved a set of six further projects at a meeting on Monday, 17 March.

The second and third wave of projects for 2025/6 include:

• £2million to repurpose an underused Napoleonic-era Martello Tower fort in Clacton into an events or culture venue;

• £2million for delivering improvements to public spaces in Jaywick Sands;

• £3million to deliver a new All Wheels cycling facility at Clacton Leisure Centre and complete urgent repairs to the building;

• £100,000 to develop a new spatial strategy for Clacton to drive regeneration by supporting culture;

• £5million for the purchasing and repurposing of a building in Clacton town centre for community and cultural uses;

• £150,000 to install solar panels to Jaywick Sands’ Sunspot business centre to cut running costs and providing further support to local enterprises.

The Cabinet also approved plans to set up a board to oversee the project development and delivery of the schemes.

Councillor Ivan Henderson, Deputy Leader of TDC and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “We are thrilled to push ahead with these six outstanding projects as part of our partnership with the Government.

“These initiatives are a testament to our commitment to delivering bold and ambitious plans that will significantly improve Clacton and Jaywick Sands.

“These schemes align perfectly with Our Vision to raise aspirations, foster economic growth, champion our environment, and promote our heritage, attracting visitors and encouraging them to stay longer.

“Collectively, they will provide us with real opportunity to transform our area and create a brighter future for Clacton and Jaywick Sands.”

In December, the council’s Cabinet approved the start of work on the first of the four waves of projects, including £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 fourth set of projects are set to include working with Essex County Council on a £2.5million scheme to expand the Tudor Fields to Jaywick Sands walking and cycling route, which could also serve as an evacuation route, £1.3million for improvements to Clacton town centre street furniture, £230,000 for upgrading and improving bus stops and shelters on bus routes and £200,000 for equipment and furniture for the skills centre in the proposed revamped Clacton library.

It will also include £2million for the NHS to contribute towards building a new urgent treatment centre and primary care facility at Clacton Hospital.

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