A FIRST glimpse at the future of Laindon Shopping Centre is set to be revealed next week.

The public have been invited by Swan Housing, the owners of the shopping centre, to view the emerging plans at a public exhibition prior to a planning application being drawn up in the autumn.

The proposals include a retail-led, redevelopment of the site, which the owners hope will bring back a High Street to Laindon.

This includes plans for shops, a new Swan Head Office and homes.

Swan is also keen to bring about a new NHS health centre for Laindon.

Although the site's refurbishment has had many false starts in the past 20 years, Basildon Council deputy leader Kevin Blake convinced that this time the plans will go ahead.

He said: "This has been going on for a long time, some people have said they will believe its happening when they see it.

"It's been a very frustrating time from a council perspective as there has been regeneration in many other areas but this is out of our hands as its a private owner.

"But I'm the most confident in this happening than I have been before. On a scale of one to 10 I'd be a nine.

"It's going to be really well used; the area needs it, the people there deserve it and although it's often been a false hope we believe it's going to happen."

He also urged residents to attend the exhibitions, adding: "This has been a long time coming, everyone should go along to have a look."

Residents will have the opportunity to comment on the proposals at the exhibition before Swan draws up its planning application to submit to Basildon Council in the autumn.

A spokesperson for Swan said: “We’re delighted to be unveiling our draft proposals to the local community.

"Our plans set out a positive future for Laindon, delivering a vibrant street frontage, retail, office space and new homes.

"As a committed local landlord, Swan is determined to bring about this long overdue regeneration by delivering a scheme that is both viable and meets the aspirations of the local community.

"This public exhibition of our emerging plans is a great opportunity for people to view our draft plans, speak to the project team and provide their views.”

The exhibition will take place on Thursday, July 7, at the Great Berry Residents’ Association, Nightingales, Langdon Hills, between 2pm and 8pm and on Friday, July 8, at the Laindon Library, in New Century Road, between 2pm and 8pm.

Two decades of uncertainty

THE REGENERATION of the Laindon Centre has been marred by problems over the past two decades. 

Swan Housing is the sixth firm to take control of the centre, which has become covered in graffiti and full of empty shops. 

Basildon Council first threatened a compulsory purchase of the site in 2006 after the owners at the time, Lakehill Investments, failed to begin with work on 21 shops and 173 homes.

The centre was put on the market and Colonnade, which later became Laindon Regeneration, bought it for £11.5million nine years ago. 

But the shopping area, homes and health centre Laindon Regeneration promised never materialised. 

The company went into administration three years ago and BDO accountants took over the running of the site before Bride Hall Group was hired to begin a rebuild and conduct a feasibility study. 

Mar City bought the centre in 2015 but when the firm's share's dropped amind profit warnings Swan took over the site in May last year.