£126m plans to improve deprived village backed

Jaywick in Essex has been identified as the most deprived neighbourhood by the government

England's most deprived neighbourhood is to be transformed after a council adopted an "ambitious" 20-year plan for improvement.

Tendring District Council in Essex adopted the £126m Jaywick Sands Place Plan at a meeting on Friday.

The council said the adoption of the plan would allow for longer term investment but also "quick wins", like traffic calming measures.

Andy Baker, cabinet member for housing and planning, said: "This is an ambitious but clear long-term vision for Jaywick Sands to improve the area for the good of all."

The council hopes their commitment to the plan will lead to investments

Jaywick, near Clacton-on-Sea on the Essex coast, has previously been identified by government as the most deprived neighbourhood in England.

Mr Baker, Independent, said the new plan reflected the views of the community.

"The plans are not something we can deliver alone, either in terms of cost or powers – but it is a document we can take to public and private investors," he said.

"The overall objective of the Place Plan is to improve the quality of life for the residents by tackling the challenges the area faces - such as housing quality, flood risk and job opportunities."

The council said there were some "quick wins" within the plan, including making Brooklands a one-way street, improving access to the beach and improving parks, children's amenities, gardens, alleyways and bus stops.

Longer term it aims to have a new approach to housing, including bringing unused lots back into use, and looking at securing improved flood defence funding.

Of the estimated £126m cost over the next 20 years, the council estimates £108m will be for flood defence work.