CRITICS have hit out at plans to spend £60,000 on an “artist-led centre of creativity” in a community which lacks basic facilties.

Essex County Council is pumping the arts cash into Brooklands in Jaywick, while the area still lacks decent roads, street lighting and is the third most deprived council ward in the country.

It has also been revealed a controversial £40,000 piece of artwork put up there last year is to return – as benches.

The sculpture by renowned artist Nathan Coley caused controversy as fans called it “edgy art for edgy times”, while its critics said it looked like a half-completed shed.

The temporary structure was taken down, but is now going to return to the resort as seating.

Meanwhile, Essex County Council is to spend £60,000 on developing Brookland Gardens. The outside space will become a focal point for artistic endeavour.

Some residents said the plans were a waste of money and they would rather see investment in things such as roads, lighting and house renovation.

Pauline Bailey, of Riley Avenue, said: “It is almost as bad as MPs’ expenses, I think it is a fraud.

“In the climate at the moment I think it is an absolute waste of money, I just cannot believe it.

“It is just disheartening.”

But fellow resident Mick Masterson, who who will be helping with community liaison on the project, said: “I think it is brilliant. I am all in favour.

“Art should be at the front of regeneration, and the artists have got the time to go to the community and get them involved.”

“Money is being spent on infrastructure, and the garden in Brooklands is infrastructure – people do use it.”

Katie Canning, a spokeswoman for the county council, said the £30,000 is specifically earmarked for arts and heritage.

“This is not money that could have been used elsewhere in Jaywick for other improvements, such as road improvements. It is essentially ‘windfall funding’ that couldn’t be used for any other purpose,” she said.

“The last thing we want to do is to go down there and do something no one wants and no one appreciates.”

Work on Brooklands Gardens is expected to start between October 2009 and March 2010.