A COACH park in Jaywick could be sold off as the site for a new seafront hotel to fund a £2million facelift.

Tendring Council needs the cash to pay for new roads, pavements and streetlights for the rundown resort.

Officials have drawn up a shortlist of council-owned sites which might be sold to fund the scheme.

The list includes: l Land already earmarked for a surgery in Brighton Road, Holland-on-Sea l The Martello Bay coach park l The Carnarvon House office building, in Clacton, currently rented by the NHS l The former Squirrels Social Club, in Dovercourt l A community centre in Barrack Lane, Harwich.

At least three sites would have to be sold for Tendring Council to raise £1million towards the improvements.

Current low property prices mean a fourth site might also have go to reach the target figure.

The council would then ask Essex County Council to match the money.

Several of the shortlisted sites have long and difficult histories. Campaigners have opposed earlier moves to sell the Brighton Road site, claiming it was a vital open space.

They want it officially listed as a village green, to protect it from development. There was a also outcry when plans were revealed to turn Squirrels Social Club building into flats.

Residents want it reopened as a community facility.

The Barrack Lane community centre is used by many local groups, including Sea Scouts, Guides and the Royal British Legion. In the past, hotel chains have shown interest in the Martello Bay coach park, but nothing has ever come of it.

The site is still earmarked for leisure use.

It is also at risk of flooding and this would have to be overcome before a hotel could be built.