RESIDENTS have set out “radical” plans for how they intend to regenerate Jaywick.

The area - officially the most deprived in the country - is one of more than 100 coastal communities across the country taking part in a Government-backed regeneration scheme.

The plans lay out practical steps including building new homes, creating new job opportunities and improving facilities and infrastructure.

Communities Secretary Greg Clark said: “Our Great British Coast has enormous economic potential and we are determined to see it thrive all year round – not just in the summer months.

“The huge number of plans submitted, demonstrate the wave of optimism, and wealth of creative and practical ideas to boost economic lift-off.

“I now want to see their hard work and enthusiasm come to fruition by helping to deliver their ideas through the Coastal Community teams.”

Ian Davidson, chairman of the Jaywick Coastal Community Team, said an economic plan has been drawn up for both the short and long term.

“Jaywick has a fantastic community spirit and we are working closely with the community to bring about tangible regeneration of the area,” he said.

“This will involve increasing job opportunities, supported by housing investment, raising aspirations and improving the road infrastructure.

“We are also working towards a supermarket for Brooklands, landlords taking greater responsibility for the quality of their properties, increasing tourism facilities using the natural environment and providing flood resilient housing.

“It is all about creating a sustainable environment and ditching the unwanted tag of the most deprived neighbourhood in England once and for all.”

The Government helped set up coastal community teams as part of a bid to revive deprived towns.

The teams are made up of local people and were given £10,000 to kick-start work.

In Jaywick it has led to the publication of the Jaywick Vision project.