The Tendring District Council Planning Committee granted approval on 15 April 2026 to transform three seafront buildings into a new creative and cultural venue in Clacton-on-Sea.
The project will repurpose disused public conveniences, a curved shelter, and storage spaces located on Kings Promenade, next to the Martello Lounge and near Clacton Pier. These buildings sit above the council’s Beach Patrol headquarters, which will also undergo refurbishment as part of the work but will remain in operation throughout the busy summer season.
This initiative is part of a wider £20million investment programme called the Community Regeneration Partnership, which is supported by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The funding for the seafront site has grown to £900,000 following a reallocation approved in December 2025.
Although the buildings are owned by the local authority, the council was required to submit a formal planning application to ensure the project met the same standards as any other developer. The public conveniences included in the plans were previously relocated to Pier Gap following a review in 2017.
Refurbishment work is expected to begin after the summer season. During the building phase, the council intends to start a formal process to find a tenant for the new creative space.
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