Originally planned as a budget holiday retreat for Londoners in the 1930s, Jaywick Sands in Clacton-on-Sea is the last relict of ‘plotlands’ development. The area has a strong tradition of self-reliance, but also suffers from multiple deprivation.

Essex County Council led a multi-agency partnership to generate ideas for the area, working closely with the community. Its public realm team has worked to give a new lease of life to parks and gardens which have designed along principles established through consultation, and planted by community groups and schoolchildren. The new parks and open spaces are highly valued by the community.