Martello E Enabling Works - Preliminary Market Engagement

Tendring District Council, supported by Essex County Council, is seeking to engage with the market regarding a programme of specialist enabling works for Martello Tower E, a Grade II Listed and Scheduled Monument located on the seafront at Clacton-on-Sea.

Martello Tower E forms part of a wider community regeneration programme aimed at conserving historic coastal defence structures and sensitively repurposing them for future community and cultural use.

The enabling-works package is focused on addressing urgent building condition issues, stabilising the historic fabric, and preparing the structure for future redevelopment. Works will include (not necessarily in this sequence)

Erection of a full protective portal-frame enclosure ("The Box") to permit building drying-out and safe access/security

Lifting, numbering, recording, and secure on-site (within "The Box") storage of heritage stone elements (copings, gundeck slabs, timber floor components

Installation of UKPN power supply, task lighting, potentially dehumidification systems, extract fans, and background heating

Ground floor exposure works, including careful removal of mastic asphalt and fill to reveal historic brick vaults

Environmental monitoring, protective measures, and controls aligned with Scheduled Monument Consent requirements

Provision for public-facing communication needs, site visit accommodation, and long-term monitoring arrangements

Potentially a separate contract for possession of site, maintaining the temporary structure and ongoing environmental monitoring

This notice seeks market insight on capability, capacity, programme considerations, constraints relating to heritage work, and commercial factors that will inform the final procurement approach.
This notice is not a call for competition and does not pre-judge or guarantee participation in any future procurement.

Estimated start: TBC (indicatively 2026/27)
Estimated completion: The enabling works are expected to remain in situ for up to 4 years (potentially longer), due to prolonged drying-out and environmental monitoring phases.