News on Reimagining Basildon

The draft Basildon town centre masterplan re-imagines Basildon town centre from what it is at the moment - a shopping centre - into a home for thousands of people, an attractive destination for people region-wide seeking leisure and entertainment and a creative and dynamic place to work and do business.

The six-week statutory public consultation will be conducted online and make use of virtual technologies to reach members of the public, businesses and potential investors.

Leader of Basildon Council Councillor Gavin Callaghan said: "This masterplan is like no other produced by this authority. It's unrivalled in its ambition to totally re-imagine this town. It takes into consideration the whole town centre, which we are already strategically investing in by purchasing major sites. We are putting our money where our mouth is and are happy to work with the private sector to make this town centre work for everyone.

"We've spent a year courting opinion of the public, private sector, landlords and leisure industry and produced an incredibly exciting masterplan. This is the plan that will shape the borough."

The masterplan includes establishing a night-time economy in the heart of the town, up to 4,000 new homes, retail, leisure and a major flexible convention centre and multi-use arena space. This will complement and support the new cinema and college and create a multi-use town centre.