Canvey has been told it is an ideal candidate for a windfall of funding to develop the seafront - but is now in a race against time to get plans submitted.

To combat the tight deadline - which could see the council receive £1million in funding - the large masterplan has been divided, with the initial application set to focus on the Thorney Bay area of the seafront.

The council must submit an expression of interest by April 30 to the Coastal Communities Fund, and then must submit in-depth plans, with planning approval, by October.

The full master plan includes ambitious proposals to create a boardwalk linking Thorney Bay to Labworth Green and on to Eastern Esplanade, as well as improved parking, accessibility and as well as work on the seawall to create slides.

Initial plans received support from residents, but a number of issues were raised regarding by seafront traders regarding plans to reconfigure parking at Labworth Green.

As a result, and with next month’s deadline quickly approaching, the council has agreed to focus on the Thorney Bay area with the option to apply for further funding in October, or early next year.

The Thorney Bay plans will see increased parking, improved accessibility, and create a new pavilion at the entrance to the beach that will provide public toilets, a small kiosk, including a cafe, and a viewing platform in close proximity to the existing playground and improved lighting.

Seafront traders will meet in coming weeks to discuss the plans for the Labworth area, making their recommendations to the council, which will form a second application for funding.

During Wednesday’s Castle Point cabinet meeting, councillor Ray Howard said: “We believe everyone agrees for the plans for the bay area, with its proposals for extra toilets, extra car parking, and a kiosk etc, as well as resurfacing the sea wall and extra lighting.

“I believe we can get that bit in first and that will give us more time to agree the Labworth Green area, and up to Concord Beach.

“I would not want to see is us go without this year, without getting anything from this process.

“The money is available, and we should be doing all we can to apply for it.”

The council’s cabinet agreed to pursue a detailed business case for new amenities at Thorney Bay, as well as submitting an expression of interest to the Government’s Coastal Communities Fund by next month’s deadline.