BASILDON Market could be moved even if plans to relocate South Essex College do not go ahead, it has emerged.

Basildon Council admitted it wants to move the market to St Martin’s Square regardless of whether the controversial Dry Street development of 725 homes and shops is built.

A council report suggested the planned Dry Street village, which includes a new primary school, is not definitely going to happen, but the market should still move to St Martin’s Square.

South Essex College can only move from Nethermayne if the Dry Street development goes ahead, as it is relying on the sale of the land to fund the £30million town centre campus.

AndrewGordon, Labour councillor for Nethermayne, opposes the developments.

He said: “The majority of Basildon residents feel the present market site is the best place for it. Moving it, regardless of the college, just proves how Basildon residents are completely ignored.

“Building on Dry Street should just not happen. Full stop”.

The council’s determination to move the market was revealed in a report of a closed door meeting.

It revealed the council agreed to hand over £290,000 of taxpayers’ cash to Basildon Town Centre Management.

The company, which owns the market site, told the council it can’t afford to move if the Dry Street plans fall through.

The report said: “Some costs were required to be expended by Basildon Town Centre Management in advance of this funding becoming available.

“In order to expedite the relocation, cabinet agreed the council indemnify it for the first £200,000 of relocating to St Martin’s Square in the event the college relocation does not proceed.”

The report said the company had already spent more than £200,000, but wanted more.

It added: “It has requested a further indemnity for additional costs of £140,000.”

The Homes and Communities Agency, which owns the land off Dry Street where the bulk of homes would be built, is paying £50,000. Basildon Council agreed an extra £90,000, saying: “Not progressing at this stage could lead to delays to the entire Dry Street project as the market site needs to be available for the college development by February 2016.”

Geoff Williams, Lib Dem Nethermayne councillor, who opposes building on Dry Street, added: “The council seems determined to move the market as part of its town centre masterplan – whatever happens.”