CANVEY’S major seafront regeneration plans are not dead – despite missing out on initial funding for the scheme.

Initially, Canvey’s coastal communities team had hoped that the government would release all £45 million available to projects, but just £6 million was distributed to 16 “ready to go projects” with the town missing out on the first tranche.

Although hugely disappointed, coastal team leader and Castle Point councillor, Ray Howard, insisted the team remained hugely positive, and were confident of securing the £1.3million requested when the next batch of funding is released in April next year.

Mr Howard previously told the Echo if the plan did miss out, he would pressure the council to find other ways to fund the work – a promise he plans to keep.

He said: “Of course I am hugely disappointed, we have been waiting for the announcement because we expected the government to release the whole pot.

“I think we all know our plan was grand, it was a long term project, and the government is stating it selected ready to go projects this time. It is not a major blow.

“You have to bear in mind, the government gave us funds to put our plan together, they do not just hand that out and would not have given it to us if they did not think we had a good case, and could put a good bid together.

“Canvey’s seafront has improved so much recently, thanks to the Friends of Concord Beach and Baywatch largely, and this will continue to build on those improvements.

“We want to make Canvey a 52 week-a-year attraction, not just during summer, and these plans will make that possible.”

Following consultations earlier this year, it was decided to prioritise proposals for the Thorney Bay area. The bid consisted of funding for a grand scheme which included the construction of a pavilion at Thorney Bay, public toilets and a retail kiosk, resurfacing and lighting of the footpath on the land-side of the sea wall from Thorney Bay to Labworth, and an extension of the Thorney Bay car park as well as visitor information boards, and refurbishment of toilets at the Labworth and Lubbins car parks.