Redevelopment of the Clacton Library site
£19.96 million
Levelling Up Fund
Estimated completion date Winter 2026/27
ACL on site
Lead Developer: ECC has commissioned Essex Housing to manage the development of this project.
Timescales for Delivery –January 2023 to Summer 27
Funding Source: £7.9m ECC, £3.1m Government (Levelling Up Fund)
Project Description: Creation of a multi-partner skills, learning and heritage centre that will bring together key local organisations to offer residents more joined-up service delivery and access to opportunities to develop skills, knowledge and aspirations.
Connection to other projects: Part of Clacton Civic Quarter programme, which includes the redevelopment of the site formerly occupied by Carnarvon House.
Key Partners involved: ECC (Libraries and Registration Services), Adult Community Learning, TDC, Essex Housing, Clacton and District Local History Society, University of Essex
The existing library site is the main gateway into the town centre and presents an exciting opportunity to create a landmark development to support regeneration whilst modernising Essex County Council’s estate in the town. The provision of a centralised learning offer will help address high levels of unemployment and low levels of educational attainment and support skills development within the town. £3.1m of Levelling Up Funding from Central Government, alongside £7.9m investment from ECC, will enable the delivery of the brand-new facilities as part of redevelopment plans submitted by Essex Housing in November 2024.
Creating a 21st century public sector hub, the project kickstarts a programme of investment within the town centre to ensure that Clacton can develop its resilience and safeguard the future of its town centre offer. The project aims to redevelop the land occupied by the current library and Registration Service, providing a new and impressive modern facility that will also include building regulation-compliant environmental features, which will contribute to Governments net zero targets. The Adult Community Learning (ACL) service who currently have premises at a nearby site on St Osyth Road, will co-locate at the newly created Clacton Hub, providing a centralised skills offer alongside library and community provision in one accessible and bespoke space.
It is anticipated that co-location of services at the current library site will increase the quality and accessibility of ACL provision for Clacton residents, supporting educational attainment and upskilling through an enhanced education offer. The provision of additional community services at the Clacton Hub, as well as improved visual amenity at Carnarvon Terrace, will contribute to the reduction of crime through increased natural surveillance and improved community cohesion, additional economic activity and vibrancy. Not only will the project deliver land value uplift on the sites themselves, but also for residential and commercial property in the surrounding area.
The project will combine two ageing assets into a brand-new building, with efficiencies being gained through sustainable and modern construction methods that will improve insulation, heating and ventilation and reducing energy costs supporting the carbon reduction agenda. Furthermore, the new structure is expected to lead to improved air quality and comfort as well as increased use of natural light where possible to improve the environment and experience for staff, customers and students alike.