Plans will create a community space and new homes as part of the proposed Clacton Civic Quarter project.

Tendring District Council, supported by Essex County Council, was awarded almost £20 million for Clacton town centre projects last year.

Residents can now see plans for the Clacton Civic Quarter project for the first time and have their say on the proposals, which are funded by the Government.

The project includes an application for the creation of a multi-storey building at the existing Clacton Library site. This will be led by Essex County Council.

It would include a new library, Adult Community Learning Centre and local registration services. It would also include space for the University of Essex’s new Centre for Coastal Communities.

A separate application on the neighbouring site will showcase the design and layout of 28 new homes at Carnarvon Terrace. This will be led by Tendring District Council. This follows the demolition of the Carnarvon House office block in Carnarvon Road last year.

The plans include improvements to the existing High Street car park. Also included is the creation of a mixed-use civic and community space. This would involve the creation of new creative workspaces. The space will be next door to the new building that will replace the current library.

Residents can now have their say on plans via two consultations. Essex County Council is leading the consultation on the proposals to redevelop Clacton Library. Tendring District Council is undertaking the consultation on the Carnarvon Terrace scheme.

Councillor Lee Scott, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning a Growing Economy, said: "We are delighted to start this consultation. It is an opportunity for us to hear directly from those who will be using the new facilities of this project. A key part of Clacton’s regeneration strategy, the redevelopment of the library will provide learning and development opportunities for all.

“The plans will also honour the local heritage of the area and visually improve it. In a key part of town, this will be a development residents can be proud of."

Councillor Ivan Henderson, Deputy Leader of Tendring District Council and Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “The Clacton Civic Quarter project is very exciting and has the potential to raise aspirations and create opportunities for generations to come – alongside regenerating a tired part of the town centre.

“This scheme will provide well-designed, much-needed homes while breathing life into a brownfield site, helping to improve quality of life for our residents and helping people to take pride in the town centre.

“It’s great to get a first look at the designs for the TDC-led elements of the scheme and I’m pleased to share them with residents, businesses and visitors alike.

“We are now launching a four-week consultation into the plans and we are keen to hear what people think about the proposals before a planning application is submitted later this year.”

As part of the public consultation, both councils are running a joint drop-in consultation event. This will be at ACL Clacton in St Osyth Road, Clacton, from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 20 July.

Information about the proposals will be available. There will also be opportunity to view the designs, meet the project team and ask questions.

The consultations open today, Wednesday 10 July, and runs until Wednesday 7 August. Visit clactonlibrary.co.uk or tendringdc.gov.uk/consultations for further information and to have your say.

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