A COMMUNITY centre is set to hold a meeting to give residents the chance to put forward their own vision for the future of Dovercourt town centre.

Tendring Council’s cabinet is set to approve £1.5million in funding to deliver the first stage of its masterplan for the town.

But Harwich community group Piecing Community Together has other ideas.

The first projects would see a 59-space car park built at the vacant Starlings site and a terrace of nine three-bedroom town houses constructed in place of the Milton Road car park.

Sally Goff, of the group, hopes residents will put forward ideas for alternative uses for the site.

She said: “We are trying to put in our own plans and our own ideas before presenting them to the council.

“We will be campaigning for a vibrant town square. There is some money coming for Dovercourt - let’s make sure it is used properly.

“A town square could serve as a community meeting point for the residents of Dovercourt.

“Harwich has its list of historical connections, with Christopher Jones and the Mayflower, we have our own identity as well.

“Perhaps it could be centred around John Bagshaw.”

Bagshaw built Orwell Terrace, Dovercourt, in the late 1850s as part of his grand plan to create a magnificent new town.

He became MP and was instrumental in bringing the railway to Harwich.

The meeting will be held at the Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic church, in Fronks Road, Dovercourt, on Tuesday, September 17 at 7pm.