Developers are moving forward with plans for 495 flats in Basildon, despite previous setbacks and concerns from local leaders about the project.
Basildon: So, the developers are really pushing ahead with their plans for those 495 flats at the old Marks and Spencer site. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster ride, to be honest. They had a tough time getting the green light from the council, but after appealing, they finally got the nod from the planning inspectorate.
They want to replace the old shop, which closed back in 2020, with a couple of tall towers. One will have 265 homes, and the other will add another 230. But here’s the kicker: nothing has happened yet. Now, they’re trying to skip a land contamination survey, which shows they’re really keen to get things moving.
Meanwhile, there’s some demolition work happening nearby at the old Wetherspoons and other shops. They’re gearing up to build those 492 flats in tower blocks. But not everyone is on board. Gavin Callaghan, the Labour leader of Basildon Council, has raised some eyebrows about the whole thing, questioning if it’s even viable.
He’s been pretty vocal, saying the current plan isn’t working and suggesting that developers should chat with the council to come up with something better. He’s all about getting the high street buzzing again, which is totally fair.
Before the plans got the thumbs up, they faced a lot of criticism for being too tall and not fitting in with the area. Callaghan is all for more housing but wants to make sure the retail side of things gets a boost too. It’s a prime spot, and he’s hoping future developers will see that.
The developers have mentioned that they’ve faced some tough times financially, especially with new regulations after the Grenfell fire. They’ve been feeling the pinch, which has slowed things down. The Echo has reached out to Marson Property and Basildon Estates for their take on all this.
