A major scheme to revitalise Clacton town centre will be back on the table next month.

Essex County Council made a bid for £1 million of special funding, which was to be spent on the revamp, but it was unsuccessful.

The Government rejected the plea at the end of last year in favour of other projects around the country.

Tendring councillors will now hold talks on the way forward at a cabinet meeting in February. Residents, businesses and groups were consulted over plans last year.

Peter Patrick, portfolio holder for planning at Tendring Council, said all the comments had been assesssed and a final report would be made by the team of consultants.

Terry McKean, secretary of the Clacton Chamber of Commerce, said his group was disappointed that it had not received a response from the council, having written in with some ideas in November.

"This is such an important issue for the whole future of Clacton town centre, its shops, businesses and residents," he said.

"We felt that a special liasion committee should have been set up to have talks on the issue and make sure that our interests are taken into account."

Mike Page, public relations manager for the council, said representatives from the chamber were welcome to meet with any of the planning team to raise any issues before the matter was discussed at cabinet, or someone would go out to them.

Published Thursday, January 30, 2003

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