£1bn Basildon revamp given the go-ahead
Published: 11 October, 2010
New plans for the Essex town centre include 560,000 sq ft of new retail space
Basildon town centre is set to undergo one of the biggest redevelopments in the country, after Basildon Regeneration, a joint venture between Barratt Homes and Wilson Bowden Developments, was approved as the Council’s development partner for the 20-year project valued at £1bn.
The developers will now be required to prepare a master plan within 12 months but outline proposals include 560,000 sq ft of new retail and leisure space; up to 580,000 sq ft of new offices; 1,900 new homes; a major extension to the Towngate Theatre from 546 to 1200 seats; a new hotel and a range of public realm improvements.
Cllr Tony Ball, Leader of the Council said: “This is a long-term project that will help to get Basildon back into the top 50 town centres in the country, where it belongs.” And he added: “The regeneration is about the whole town centre, not just the shopping streets. The plans extend beyond the shopping core, providing opportunities to maximise the range of facilities and job creation."
Councillors have also approved the principle to grant some Council owned land in the regeneration area towards the project, but the proposed arrangement ensures that that Council obtains the maximum value for any land given over.
