BLUEPRINTS for the £36 million sea defences scheme to save hundreds of homes from collapsing into the sea will go before planners next week.

It is estimated that as many as 400 homes will disappear over the next 20 years due to Clacton and Holland-on-Sea’s crumbling cliffs if nothing is done.

The scheme has already been given the go ahead by the Environment Agency, but it also needs formal planning permission from Tendring Council.

The scheme, which will see the demolition of existing timber and concrete groynes and the construction of 23 fishtail groynes, goes before the authority’s own planning committee on January 7, where it is expected to be rubber-stamped.

Planning officers have recommended it for approval.

Environment boss Nick Turner said: “Everything is going according to plan and we remain on schedule to start work next year.

“We did have unanimous backing from the council, so hope this will be another green light for the scheme.

“It is so important and you can see that from the weather we have had in the past month.

“The fact is this scheme will be a renaissance for Clacton and the British seaside – it is as grandiose as that.

The scheme, which was approved by the Environment Agency in September, would see new defences built along a 5km stretch of coastline from Clacton Pier to Holland Haven.