A new plan is being drawn up to protect the very special character of two places on the Stour estuary for the future - and residents are being urged to have a major input into the scheme.

Tendring District Council (TDC) has commissioned the work on Manningtree and Mistley's Conservation Area, in association with Manningtree Town Council and Mistley Parish Council.

And now they want to hear from people interested in the area, and from those who want to put forward their own view on the way forward.

The management plan is being put together by specialist consultants, The Conservation Studio, and they begin the whole consultation process by holding a public workshop on the June 15, 2009.

The workshop will be held at the Methodist Church Hall in South Street, Manningtree from 7pm-9pm and anyone interested is invited.

The Conservation Studio will explain the background to the plan and the workshop will discuss:

▫ What makes Manningtree and Mistley special?

▫ What spoils the conservation area?

▫ What would make it better?

The whole aim of the exercise is to come up with ways to enhance the town - finding ways to bring in necessary changes, but without losing sight of the area's unique qualities.

Sarah Candy, Cabinet Member for Planning at TDC, said that Manningtree and Mistley are one of the most beautiful parts of the whole of Essex.

"It is vitally important that the whole community gets involved in this consultation - and both residents and businesses should have their say," she said.

"Mistley, in particular, has been in the press a great deal recently in connection with the controversial fence put up at the Quay. Now is the chance to put your views across on what you want to see for the future of both Manningtree and Mistley."

Manningtree is a mediaeval planned town with a wealth of historic buildings lining its ancient streets. Mistley combines a planned Georgian quarter with the Victorian maltings and quayside. Between them is the parkland of the former Mistley Hall.

The Manningtree and Mistley Conservation Area was first designated in 1969 to recognise the special character of the two places.

The Government recommends that conservation areas should be looked at on a regular basis, identifying the issues facing that area and then producing proposals to tackle those issues.

Following the workshop, a management plan document will be prepared and this will be the subject of an exhibition and formal public consultation later in the year.

2/6/09