MULTI-million pound plans to protect the Clacton coastline for the next 100 years are set to go out to public consultation.

Last night the leader of Tendring District Council (TDC) Peter Halliday said the local authority “was closer than ever” to carrying out a sea defence project which will cost up to £27million.

The council has worked with the Environment Agency (EA) to come up with a plan for the coastline between Holland Haven and Clacton Pier.

Both TDC and Essex County Council will contribute £3million each but the rest of the funding has to be administered in a grant from the EA.

The Clacton and Holland-on-Sea Flood and Erosion Strategy has been approved by the EA which is waiting for a Project Appraisal Report (PAR) to be completed.

Leader of Tendring District Council Peter Halliday said: “We are very confident we’ll get the funding, this is closer than we have ever been before.

“This is a technically approved scheme on the table. We have been working with the Environment Agency very closely and all the noises from them are very good at the moment.”

A number of sea defence options have been proposed by consultants Mott MacDonald, which include:

n A beach recharge with straight rock groynes

?n A beach recharge with fishtail rock groynes

?n A beach recharge with a combination of both fishtail and straight rock groynes

?n A beach recharge with a combination of rock groynes and rock revetment

Mr Halliday said the council believed the fishtail rock groynes would be the most beneficial option and more aesthetically pleasing.

If approved the work would begin in 2015 and last for 100 years.

The Council’s proposals for coast protection work will also include a commitment to reinstating the beach at Holland-on-Sea.

Mr Halliday said the work was vital to protect the environment and the future of Tendring’s tourism industry.

“We’re really excited we have got to this stage, it’s great news. We’re putting money where our mouth is and leading by example, so fingers crossed it comes off,” Mr Halliday added.

A full progress report will be made to TDC’s Cabinet Meeting on January 23.