25 Feb Green light for 492 new homes in Basildon town centre
An application for 492 one and two-bed apartments has been approved by Basildon Council’s Planning Committee, as part of the ambitious town centre regeneration programme.
Last night (Wednesday 24 February) The committee approved the application by Orwell (Basildon) Limited for the development of the site between Market Square and Town Square in Basildon town centre, to bring much needed housing to the local area. The development will help to transform it into a thriving destination of choice for families, a place where businesses succeed and somewhere that creates positive opportunities for everyone locally.
The homes will be Build-to-Rent, for private rental rather than sold on the open market, with residents having access to communal roof gardens and communal work-spaces.
The development includes retail/commercial space on the ground and part of the first floors with parking behind.
To support these new developments, the right infrastructure will also be in place, which includes a new health centre catering for 15,000 patients, up to £3million invested in schools and new sixth form colleges, £9.7million funding to improve parking and support housing development, as well as 350 new trees.
Leader of Basildon Council Councillor Gavin Callaghan said: “This development along with a number of other proposals coming forward represents an exciting opportunity to help kick-start the regeneration of the area by encouraging more people to live and work within it.
“Such investments will help revitalise the fortunes of our town centre and Basildon will bounce back to its rightful place as the capital of South Essex, delivering new growth and jobs, and build wider public and business confidence in the area.” A new digital campus is already complete, and the new Empire cinema and restaurant scheme is on track to open by the end of the year, with much more to come.
Chairman of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee Councillor Jack Ferguson added: “It’s good to see this development progressing for the town centre. It will bring financial contributions of £3million for infrastructure like education, healthcare, sustainable transport and improved open spaces. This is vital to the success of the regeneration of our town centre.”
The regeneration of the town centre will see the creation of 5,000 new jobs, a new multi-use arena, outdoor entertainment, more cultural spaces and activity, along with more restaurants, shops and a proud mix of independent retailers.
The new Youth Zone will provide more opportunities for every 8-19-year-old and 500 new council houses will put Basildon residents first. A new improved bus and train station will make it easier to get around, along with improvements to 20 miles of cycling and pedestrian routes. In short, the town centre will once again become the beating heart of Essex.
