Essex area with beautiful beach but an 'empty eyesore' high street to be revamped with £500k project

A project to build transport links and build connections within Dovercourt is set to improve "eyesore derelict areas" of the town. As part of a pilot programme called High Street Accelerators, which aims to tackle high street emptiness, £500,000 will be pumped into making it a more attractive place for residents to spend time again.

As part of the re-levelling project, Tendring District Council has acquired derelict sites in Victoria Street and Milton Road, and plans to put new housing on one of these, with the other remaining as parking for the area. Ivan Henderson, Deputy Leader of Tendring District Council and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “This change means we can tackle yet another key project from the Dovercourt Revisited masterplan and transform an eyesore site into much-needed housing – while keeping the Milton Road car park”.

In addition to creating new homes, and areas to park, Dovercourt is set for a revamp of transport links from across key parts of the town, including the seafront and parks, aiming to make the area more accessible and bring locals and visitors into the High Street, revitalising the area.

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The new pot of money to improve the town’s transport links, will also be used to plant new trees, flowers, and plants, as well as hanging baskets, improving the appearance of the high street, while adding character and reducing pollution. Parts of the high streets will also be turned into usable pocket spaces for the public.

The Minister for Levelling Up, Jacob Young commented: “Coupled with the new powers we’re giving to councils to rent out persistently empty spaces, our High Street Accelerators programme will make our towns more welcoming and pleasant places for people to enjoy.”

With Tendring District Council eager to bring life back into the town, work is already underway, and the entire project is due for completion in 2026.

Paul Milsom, Chair of the Dovercourt Town Centre High Street Accelerator partnership, said: “The town has a beautiful beach and the wonderful Cliff Park nearby”. The new plans will encourage pedestrians to move through the town, building the connections between these hotspots within Dovercourt.

Paul added: “Working in partnership with Tendring District Council, the schemes will build on the wider regeneration project happening around the town centre, helping to create a more sustainable future.”

The changes will also help tackle the wide-ranging issues stemming from high street emptiness - from struggling businesses, to increased unemployment and anti-social behaviour. An update on the project, along with the Levelling Up projects in Clacton, will be discussed at Tendring District Council’s Cabinet during its meeting on Friday, May 24.

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