There were four engagement events that took place on the 7th and 8th of June 2023: one online workshop for members, one for stakeholders, and two in-person drop in events for the community to attend.
The engagement was structured to support the development of Place-based Indicators. Place-based indicators are a tool for understanding local priorities and to measure outcomes of the development of Hartley Gardens, and will inform the Vision and Masterplan.
We asked you to assess Clacton-on-Sea and Hartley Gardens using 12 key themes, rating them 1 to 7 (1 being a bad score, 7 being a good score). These 12 key themes have been grouped together under ‘Community & Facilities, ‘Movement’ and ‘Spaces’. These scores have now been aggregated and mapped onto a spider diagram to give a simple visual understanding of the assets that can be built upon and areas that can be improved (see diagram below).
Assessment of assets and areas for improvement in Clacton-on-Sea and Hartley Gardens
As well as asking people about these key themes, we also sought insights about Clacton-on-Sea and priorities for development of Hartley Gardens. There were many common responses to the themes. What people said has been summarised in the table below, for consideration in the Vision and Framework Masterplan.
Community and facilities |
Movement |
Spaces |
Vision and opportunities |
| Provide homes to suite local need, including family homes. Maximise employment opportunities through development process and land uses. Support, rather than compete with, the viability of the town centre Provide a primary school and nurseries. Reflect the Clacton-on-Sea seaside identity. Support local health provision (on-site or via s106 contribution) Work to understand why doctors are not attracted to moving to Clacton |
Create a new access road into Hartley Gardens Consider the traffic impacts on Little Clacton Road Minimise the impact of increased population on congestion by maximising public transport and active travel Link active travel routes with routes to the town centre to support its civic role Ensure there is adequate parking, carefully integrated into the development |
Increase and improve the provision of play space for current and new residents Maintain and enhance the walking routes to the south of the site, by the Brook Park West development Design spaces for elderly, such as including adequate provision of rest stops all green spaces and walking routes Provide open spaces that are multifunctional, providing environmental, ecological and social benefits |
Consider early delivery of infrastructure to serve existing community. Integrate active travel infrastructure throughout the site and linking it with the town centre. Enhance Pickers Ditch into a park that acts as a focal point for the green infrastructure network. Provide attractive streets through trees and planting Make sure there is a settlement gap between Clacton and Little Clacton. |
Summary of findings from Stage 1 engagement that will inform the Vision and Framework Masterplan
Some of the issues and opportunities summarised in the table are potentially within the scope of what the development of Hartley Gardens can address directly within the site boundary. However, others are more strategic in nature and require coordinated change from a range of stakeholders in the town, beyond Hartley Gardens. The next two stages of the community engagement will consider these findings and further develop the Place-based Indicators to develop a Vision and Framework Masterplan.
The timeline for the next stages of engagement has changed since the Stage 1 events took place. Stage 2 is now likely to take place in Spring 2024, and will be a chance for the project team to show how we have taken the feedback onboard to establish a Vision and Framework Masterplan. Stage 3 is then likely to take place in Summer 2024 in which we will present the final Masterplan due to be submitted as part of Outline Planning Application.