A HOUSING association has bought the dilapidated Laindon Centre to ensure its long-awaited revamp goes ahead.

Swan Housing Association has revealed it has taken over the centre and will lead the regeneration, which has been in the pipeline for nearly 20 years.

It stepped in after the Echo revealed last week that Mar City, which exchanged contracts on the Sixties complex in January, had run into financial problems.

It is not known how much it bought the centre in High Road for, but Swan, which was set up in the borough two decades ago, plans to create new shops and affordable homes on the site.

Geoff Pearce, Swan’s director of regeneration and development, said: “Swan has a long-term commitment to the regeneration of the Laindon and Basildon area.

“We look forward to working with Basildon Council, existing retailers, and, critically, local people, who we know are passionate about the regeneration of Laindon, to finally bring Laindon the central facilities it needs.”

Phil Turner, leader of the Basildon Council, said: “I am confident that regeneration of Laindon Centre is now on course after the deal by Swan Housing Association.

“Swan Housing took the bold step to acquire the centre, as it has confidence in its future and has been actively pursuing the redevelopment opportunity for several months.

“Whilst Mar City may no longer be leading the project, the fact the centre is now owned by Swan Housing means it is in good hands.

“The community will soon begin to see some practical improvements on the ground in advance of consultation about the redevelopment plans.”

Bala Mahendran, chief executive of the Tory administration, added: “It is great news that Swan will regenerate the shopping centre and I have every confidence in the ability of the team to deliver the much-needed improvements in Laindon.

“Swan Housing has a strong track record of delivering quality developments that meet local needs and they will get all the help they need to make progress.”

The housing association’s first step will be to carry out immediate improvements, including dealing with a pigeon infestation, litter, grounds maintenance and the general appearance of the site.

Swan is latest to take over centre

SWAN Housing Association is the sixth firm to take control of the Laindon Centre over the past two decades.

The regeneration of the complex, which was once the heart of the town, but is now littered with graffiti and empty shops, has run into endless problems since it was first mooted 19 years ago.

Basildon Council first threatened to take compulsory purchase of the site in 2006 after then-owners Lakehill Investments failed to begin with work on 21 shops and 173 homes.

Financial problems forced the firm to put the centre on the market, with Colonade, which later become Laindon Regeneration, buying it for £11.5million in 2007.

A shopping area, new homes, health centre and a supermarket were promised, but once again the plans failed to materialise.

Laindon Regeneration went into administration in 2013, with BDO taking over the day-to-day running of the site.

Bride Hall Group was then hired to kick-start the rebuild and conduct a feasibility study, but there was a delay finding a potential buyer before Mar City stepped in at the beginning of this year.

Shares on the Basildon based firm has since been suspended due to plummeting share prices, with an internal review showing pre-tax profits for the last year were below expectations.