DESIGNS and costings of a new masterplan for a town square in Dovercourt are set to be put forward to councillors.

The long delayed project was first mooted in January 2017 to use Tendring Council's New Homes Bonus from the Government to pay for “public realm works” in the area.

A report was commissioned by the council to look at options for developing the former Starlings site and Milton Road car park.

But despite draft proposals being competed a year ago, the dates for the project to be discussed have been put back and no further decisions have been made.

A performance report set to be put before Tendring Council's new cabinet today lists the project as "behind target" and says a draft masterplan and site recommendations are to be presented to the council's management team and cabinet in June 2019.

It says: "Urban Initiatives Studio were appointed in 2018 to refresh the council's Dovercourt Masterplan, Dovercourt Rediscovered, and to bring forward development scenarios for the Starlings site and Milton Road Carpark.

"Consultants have completed their baseline analysis, prepared costed design solutions for the two sites identified, and have prepared a draft masterplan for the client team's consideration.

"The work is behind the original programme due to additional technical and design works undertaken by the consultant team, which were required to test the viability of initial project opportunities.

"It is planned to report progress and project delivery options in June 2019."

But despite the report detailing this month for discussions, the project designs and options are not on the cabinet's agenda.

Harwich and Tendring councillor for the area, Ivan Henderson, said: "I'm hopeful we will see the result of the commissioned report very soon with options and a public consultation.

"This is a project that needs to be delivered, the money is still in the budget."