On 20 March 2026, Tendring District Council announced that all 28 new homes at the Carnarvon Terrace development in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, will be used as social housing. This decision changes previous plans that would have seen some of the houses sold privately.
The council’s cabinet agreed to the move to provide more affordable rented homes for people currently on the housing list. The homes will be managed directly by the council’s own housing team rather than being sold on the open market.
The project is being built on the site of the former Carnarvon House offices and includes 28 modern homes, a multi-storey car park, and workspaces for creative businesses. Funding for the development is part of a £30 million project for the town centre, with nearly £20 million provided by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The council currently manages more than 3,000 homes and is the largest provider of social housing in the district. This decision follows a new housing strategy adopted in January 2026 that focuses on increasing the number of council-owned properties to help residents.
Council leader Mark Stephenson said the authority is responding to local demand for more council-owned houses. The development is a major part of the Love Clacton ten-year plan to improve the central area of the town.
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