RESIDENTS who were threatened with eviction by council bosses have been told there will be a full review of rules designed to stop them living in their homes during the winter.

Tendring Council had warned it would take action against some residents in the Point Clear Bay area.

Town Hall bosses they said were in beach of occupancy conditions by staying in their homes between November and February.

But residents at seven caravan and chalet parks across Tendring, which are in flood risk zones, have now been told by council bosses that there is a lack of consistency in seasonal restrictions and a full review will take place.

Residents in Point Clear Bay argued their homes were freehold properties and they should not be treated the same as people living on holiday chalets estates.

They had been threatened with eviction on November 1, but were later told they could stay in their homes over winter this year.

Resident Mandy Kelly, of Colne Way, said: “We are all still very concerned.
“We really wanted to hear the final verdict now – not be told that a report will come next year.

“This means we won’t find out until nearly the summer whether we will be evicted next November, which will not give us very much time to make arrangements."

Residents claim sea defences and warning systems at Point Clear Bay have seen massive improvements since the tragic 1953 flood disaster, which led to the residency conditions being imposed.

Council planning boss Carlo Guglielmi said: “We must consider whether the reasons for imposing conditions in the past are still relevant today and how best to balance them against the overall needs of residents.

“I think we have an understanding with the residents over how we are going about this and we will come back with a comprehensive report which looks at all the various issues.”

A report is expected to go before council cabinet bosses in April or May.