The goverment has awarded £19.7m to Tendring District Council to fund regeneration projects in Clacton and Jaywick.

The  Community Regeneration Partnership with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government comes after a separate £20million government grant for the proposed Clacton Civic Quarter project, which is set to include the Clacton Hub and library, up to 28 modern homes, a mixed-use civic and community space, creative workspaces, and a replacement High Street car park.

Tendring District Council’s says the first projects for the new money include:

• £500,000 for a seafront art and community micro venue on Clacton seafront
• £500,000 to improve tired shopfronts in Jaywick Sands and Clacton
• £210,000 to provide three new community transport mini-buses
• £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 planned includes £500,000 to repurpose an underused Napoleonic-era Martello Tower fort in Clacton into an events or culture venue, and £500,000 to enhance open spaces in Jaywick Sands, including new play equipment.

The third wave of projects in 2025/6 is set to include the Active Wellbeing Centre study, the town centre building scheme and a £150,000 project for solar panels at Jaywick Sands’ Sunspot Centre.

The fourth set of projects include the Tudor Fields walking 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 Hub and library.

• Other spending includes:
• £3million to help redevelop Clacton Leisure Centre into a new Active Wellbeing Centre to provide sustainable sports facilities and integrated health and wellbeing services, and an outdoor facility on the site
• £2million for the NHS to contribute towards building a new urgent treatment centre and primary care facility at Clacton Hospital
• 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
• £5million for acquiring and repurposing a disused town centre building for community and cultural use.

Councillor Ivan Henderson, deputy leader of TDC and cabinet member for economic growth, regeneration and tourism, said the projects were part of wider plans to improve Clacton’s future. “We are excited by this once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform Clacton and Jaywick Sands,” he said. “Our projects aim to harness culture and tourism on the Essex Sunshine Coast to regenerate the town and provide more opportunities and for our residents.”