THE long-awaited regeneration of Jaywick is finally set to get under way.

The Brooklands area of Jaywick is officially listed as the most deprived place in the country.

But council bosses say they are now set to start work on the first new homes in the area as part of a massive regeneration scheme.

Tendring Council said preparations are getting under way for a £1.5 million scheme to build ten new homes in Jaywick.

Five of the new homes will be starter homes, sold at a discounted price and five will be council homes for local residents.

Work will be carried out to remove and relocate any reptiles from the site on the corner of Tamarisk Way and Lotus Way this week.

The land is part of 28 hectares which has been bought by Tendring Council as part of the continued regeneration of the area.

Gill Elkins, of the Jaywick Forum, said: “We are really pleased that work finally looks like it is going to start in Jaywick.

“This is the start of the regeneration of Jaywick – this has been a long time in coming.

“Other masterplans in the past have not been welcomed by the people, but this time it is different – the plans have the support of residents.

“What is also important is that these new homes are designed to be flood resilient.”

A planning application is due to be submitted for the three-storey properties and the scheme is expected to be completed later this year.

Nigel Brown, Tendring Council’s communications manager, an ecological survey and flood risk assessment has been completed and Essex Wildlife Trust will be helping to remove any reptiles from the land.

He added: “The council will be reducing the level of the grass so the reptiles can be located and collected up before all the vegetation is finally cleared.

“This is just the initial preparation and will be followed by the piling and base work, provided that we get all the necessary planning permissions to proceed with this scheme.”