Jaywick Sands residents 'hopeful' over village revamp plans

Residents from England's most deprived neighbourhood have started giving their views on a £120m regeneration plan.

A public consultation was launched last month as part of Tendring District Council's Place Plan consultation and a drop-in exhibition event was held on Wednesday.

The proposals include demolishing derelict houses and installing new flood defences over the next 20 years.

One resident said the coastal village "needs dragging into the 21st century."

The plans also aim to improve beach access and replace empty homes with properties capable of withstanding flooding.

Tendring District Council (TDC) said the estimated project cost would require external funding, and £84m of it would be set aside for flood defences.

Short-term projects included making Brooklands a one-way street, improving parks and gardens, footpaths and bus stops.

Jaywick Sands has been identified by government as the most deprived neighbourhood in England.

Karen, a market stall holder at Jaywick's new Sunspot, told the BBC on Wednesday she was optimistic, adding that she thought the village had been in need of a revamp since she moved to the area 30 years ago.

Another, Mark, said: "It is going to be a vast improvement and it needs it.

"It needs dragging into the 21st century - big time. It has so much potential, it has one of the best beaches in Essex."

John, who also lives in Jaywick, said: "It is in desperate need of redevelopment, it's been lacking for years and it got to the point where people wouldn't come down here because it was rough.

"It has started to improve but the development is desperately needed."

The village needed a "facelift", he added, saying: "Hopefully this is the start of the future."

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