Plans have been submitted for a new workspace facility, covered market and community garden in Jaywick Sands – taking on feedback from the local community.
Proposals for the £2.4million project, to include a market, 25 affordable business units, a training room, café, public toilets, community garden and public realm on the corner of Brooklands and Lotus Way were recently shared with the local community for consultation by architects HAT Projects, who are leading on the design of the scheme.
Results from the survey have been used to inform the final design proposals for the project, which have now been submitted to Tendring District Council (TDC) as a planning application.
Comments were positive, with people welcoming the scheme as a way of bringing the community closer together, providing shops, services and somewhere to work in the area, and to raise the profile and reputation of Jaywick Sands.
Some who took part in the survey raised concerns about upkeep and security and about making sure the facility worked for local people.
Paul Honeywood, TDC Cabinet Member with special responsibility for Jaywick Sands, thanked people for sharing their views.
“We have had some really interesting and useful feedback, and we were delighted to see how much enthusiasm there is for the project,” Cllr Honeywood said.
“In response to community feedback the scheme does now include new public toilets, an ecological approach to the community garden, and community benefit is one of the critical factors in the whole scheme. HAT Projects has also been working with Beth Chatto Gardens on the garden design, which is exciting.
“The funding for this project is specifically for workspace, market and public realm uses, and forms part of our wider ambitions for helping Jaywick Sands prosper and thrive.”
Cllr Mary Newton, TDC Cabinet Member for Business and Economic Growth, added: “This project will support the local economy, grow local entrepreneurship, and grow and retain economic activity and job creation in the local area, all helping our district to get back to business after the pandemic.”
Funding from the scheme is coming from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) from the Getting Building Fund (GBF) – £1.972m – along with £105k from TDC and £350k from Essex County Council (ECC).
If the application is approved by TDC’s Planning Committee, building work is due to start later this year ready for completion in 2022. Fencing has recently gone up around the site to allow ecological work to take place.
Colbea has been working with the project team to bring its expertise to inform the internal design and use of the workspace to encourage business growth, community collaboration and ensure the long-term success of the Jaywick Sands Workspace.
