Following the appointment by Tendring District Council (TDC), London-based architecture and interiors practice Conran and Partners has submitted a planning application to transform the former Carnarvon House and existing car park site, in Carnarvon Road, into a vibrant mixed-use community and makerspace, new homes and town centre car park all focussing on new public realm.
The proposal has been developed to complement Clacton-on-Sea’s vision for a new Civic Quarter, as part of a £30million town centre regeneration initiative, following a successful bid by TDC and its partners to the Government.
The proposed design aims to deliver 28 new homes, 40% of which will be affordable housing, to meet local demand and regenerate a key car park area notorious for antisocial behaviour. Designed as a ‘green stepping stone’, the redevelopment seeks to balance urban activity with moments of pause, creating pedestrian-friendly areas that echo the finer grain of traditional British cities. This new green mobility route will connect the Civic Quarter with the sea front, offering easy access for pedestrians and cyclists while contributing to the town’s long-term ambitions.
Inverting the layout of the irregular site, with built up areas towards the perimeter, the proposed site layout introduces a central public realm to tie together the three main uses proposed.
A four-storey residential block, Carnarvon Terrace, acts as an introduction to the wider scheme while providing a sense of permanence and activity with residents continuously inhabiting the space. Its design is pivotal in creating a seamless connection between the development and the surrounding environment.
A series of flexible mixed-use spaces and innovative workspaces, run by the local authority, will foster local businesses, collaboration, and innovation in the heart of the town. Green spaces, places to sit and rest, and places to play within the site are proposed to mediate between the building typologies. The landscape design recognises the role of life between buildings as an integral part of placemaking.
Conran and Partners enhanced the streetscape, creating a new green public amenity space by relocating street level parking into a new four-storey structure, strategically located behind the existing supermarket. A celebrated steel framework forms the core, showcasing both strength and aesthetic appeal, with exposed structural elements as part of an “honest” design approach that pays homage to the sea-front character of the town. Passive surveillance has been carefully integrated into the project, fostering activity, life, and play throughout the heart of the scheme.
By drawing inspiration from Clacton’s Victorian heritage and the pier’s playful architecture, Conran and Partners’ proposed materials palette aim to reflect the town’s unique identity while meeting contemporary design and sustainability standards. This strategy not only celebrates the area’s distinct character but also ensures the new development harmonizes with its surroundings, creating a sense of place and community integration.
Nick Edler, Associate Director at Conran and Partners, said: “Acting as a catalyst for Clacton-on-Sea’s long-term vision, our scheme reclaims green space and reinstates the finer urban grain typical of British towns. We are giving back to the local community with new Council-run spaces, while creating a moment of pause—a green stepping stone—between the Station and the seafront.”
A decision on the plans is expected to be made by Tendring District Council’s Planning Committee in the coming months.
