TENDRING has got Colchester in its sights. Neil Stock, leader of Tendring Council and councillor responsible for regeneration, says the district can overtake its neighbour in quality-of-life issues in five years.

But he admits it will have to fight harder to get the cash needed to achieve this.

The council has launched its regeneration plan – Roads to Success. It is only six pages long, but it includes some high aspirations, aimed at turning the area into a 21st century resort and a better place to live in.

Among the ideas are opening a new business park and entertainment and conference facilities, improving roads into the area and securing high-speed broadband across the district.

It also plans to take all of the district out of the top 20 most deprived parts of the UK.

Currently, areas in Tendring feature four times in the top 10 per cent, according to the Department of Communities and Local Government’s 2007 Index of Multiple Deprivation.

Two of the areas are in Rush Green, Clacton, and the others are in Golf Green, Jaywick, and Peter Bruff, Clacton.

The district comes way down the quality-of-life league tables and is well below the averages for Essex and the East of England. It also suffers from a larger than average proportion of residents out of work.

Mr Stock believes it can become a more prosperous area than Colchester within five years.

He said: “Tendring is not performing as well as it should be.

“I would like to see us in the top half of the league table.”

He said pulling the area out of the 20 most deprived areas was a “huge jump” and an “ambitious aim”.

Mr Stock added: “I would rather set an ambitious target and fall slightly short of outright success, than setting one that is dead easy.

“Where the money comes from is going to be the big question. It is going to be a big challenge.

“We don’t know where the next cut is coming from, but we know it’s going to be big and it’s going to be bad.

“We have to believe and we have to hope we are still going to be able to do something and there will be some pots of money.”

Mr Stock said the district must be ready to “fight tougher” for any available cash and look for more creative solutions.

Council bosses believe the economic downturn could spawn a new generation of bucket-and-spade holidaymakers discovering the delights of the UK coastline.

The regeneration plan was created alongside another document specifically looking at boosting tourism in Tendring.

Mr Stock said tourism was “inextricably linked” with the area’s success.

Among the aspirations listed are turning Tendring into a well-known watersports centre, getting two new marinas in Clacton and Harwich and developing eco-tourism attractions.

Mr Stock said: “An economic recession creates opportunities that were not there previously.

“People are rediscovering the seaside resorts they used to go to as children and are enjoying them. Hopefully, even when the economy is booming again, they still might be staying in the UK.”

Turning tables on troubled areas

TOURISM is a key priority for Tendring.

Among the new facilities planned are two marinas, which council leader Neil Stock says he is confident he can secure, and an all-weather entertainment and conference centre.

The council also plans to develop the evening and night-time economy to offer more attractions to visitors.

Proposals are based on the area’s watersports potential, history and heritage, and eco-tourism, including boat trips to see the wind farm off Clacton beach.

COMMUNICATION links and the road infrastructure need to improve, say council leaders.

They plan to push for upgrades to the A120 and the A133, particularly between Frating and Weeley, and develop a new link road to serve West Clacton. According to the plans, the whole district must be served by quality public transport links.

In addition, high-speed broadband should be introduced across the district, including all rural areas.

BUSINESS and employment will be encouraged as Tendring tries to attract alternative and creative businesses.

The council also plans to woo employers with more training for young people and those out of work.

Tendring wants a new further education academy to serve the district, and council bosses will investigate bringing in a local bursary scheme to offer all school-leavers training in workplaces.

It will also try to encourage business with innovative packages, such as rent and rate holidays to help new and growing businesses.

DEPRIVED areas, including Jaywick, would be helped.

Pulling them out of the bottom 10 per cent in the country is a major aim.

Neil Stock says he wants to make sure nowhere in the district is in the bottom 20 per cent.

The council will continue to invest in the regeneration of Jaywick, and will work with developers to build much-needed new housing for residents.

QUIRKY plans to make Clacton a more attractive destination for visitors include the first Michelin-starred restaurant, a boutique hotel for Walton, and a compulsory customer service training course for cabbies.

Tourism bosses also want a rural cycle hire initiative covering Tendring, and to launch a witchfinder history trail.