NEW homes are needed in Basildon town centre to fund a major development of shops, restaurants and bars, according to Basildon Council leader Phil Turner.

The council’s original regeneration plans for East Square would have created a “leisure quarter” with cafes, bars, restaurants and a new cinema.

The 2012 plan stalled when the Eastgate Centre unveiled its own proposals, including a multiplex cinema.

In November, Mr Turner told the Echo the scheme was back on the table and that he hoped building work could start before the end of 2016.

The huge project was recently discussed behind closed doors by senior councillors, and a report later suggested the East Square development would now be “residential-led”.

The council’s cabinet has earmarked £500,000 from council reserves to help the multimillion-pound scheme get under way.

However, Mr Turner is stressing the new town centre “evening economy” will rely on new flats also being built there.

He said: “The proposals for East Square will deliver two very important economic factors.

“It is essential we drive greater diversity in our retail offerings, especially with regard to our night-time economy.

“Retail and housing are symbiotic and our success at achieving these will ensure Basildon residents see a vibrant and sustainable environment for their enjoyment in the near future."

Mr Turner said East Square was one of a number of sites the council was planning to refurbish as part of town centre regeneration.

The leisure square concept was first mooted when Basildon’s £1billion town centre masterplan was published in December 2012, but Mr Turner insists the original concept is still current.

He explained: “Early plans suggested the parade of shops within the square would be replaced with new state-of-the-art retail units, with new flats above them to meet housing targets for the borough and ensure the redevelopment doesn’t cost taxpayers any money.

“New leisure facilities such as cafes and social areas are also on the options list, although work is still some way off being drafted up for consultation with residents.”

Lifeline for 'unsuitable' tower block?

A REVAMP of the neglected Brooke House tower block is expected to form a key part of the East Square regeneration plan.

The Grade II listed Sixties block has been blighted by complaints of drug dealing, parties in corridors, rubbish in public areas and antisocial behaviour.

A six-month study into the block’s future led to a 2014 report declaring Brooke House was an unsuitable home for children and should not be let as family accommodation.

Speaking about the East Square development, council leader Phil Turner has previously said: “Housing development and Brooke House comes into it as well – East Square and Brooke House are synonymous with each other.”

The original East Square proposal included a cinema, but the scheme was put on hold in 2014 when the Eastgate Centre put forward its own plans for a £20million cinema complex.

Mr Turner said the council could have delivered the original scheme, but decided to “regroup”.