IN 1951 thousands flocked to the new town of Basildon in search of housing,. Fast forward 65 years and it appears that little has changed.

Statistics released by the Homes and Communities Agency earlier this month revealed that more first time buyers are taking advantage of the Government’s Help to Buy scheme across the borough than in Rochford, Castle Point and Southend combined.

The scheme is designed for those snapping up new builds, and with the number of development schemes in the pipeline for Basildon, many believe this is likely to multiply.

The Echo reported last month that Swan Housing confirmed it is aiming to bring forward the Craylands Estate’s regeneration by building about 500 prefabricated homes off site over the next five years.

The precise location of the factory in Basildon has yet to be revealed, but the firm is hoping the project’s pilot will start in January.

In May, contractors began to flatten Longwood Riding School, which has been forced to move to make way for the controversial Dry Street development.

The first phase of the new 725 home estate will see 181 homes built and adds to a recently completed project to turn Trafford House, Ford’s former European HQ in Cherrydown East, into 384 flats.

Basildon Council is also aiming to turn a stretch of units running from Freedom House, in East Square, to the end of East Walk, next to Toys R Us, into parade of ground floor shops with flats above.

In July, the authority announced it was enlisting developer Barratt Wilson Bowden Ltd to work on proposals to regenerate East Square.

The scheme will be a “residential-led development” and hopes to bring smaller scale cafes, restaurants and shops, as well sounding out cinema operators to gauge interest.

It would seem the face of Basildon is fast being changed to fit modern times, leaving some to question if the town is being changed beyond recognition.

Vin Harrop, the organiser of the town’s heritage trail, says he is unsure whether the town is capable of accommodating the scale of the development.

He said: “Basildon is almost unrecognisable to the town I saw when I arrived in 1967. It used to be largely made up of the countryside and didn’t even have a rail station.

“But as time has gone on, it has just changed so much, as was part of the development corporation’s plan, now more than ever. Not just in Basildon, but going all the way down to Southend too.

“I think there is a real danger that the town will become overcrowded.”

However, Ken Porter, chairman of Basildon Heritage Group, believes that the town’s changing face gives the opportunity to promote its history.

He said: “I think with things changing as they have, it makes people show an interest in Basildon’s past.

“So we have been able to go into schools and show how the town once was with the resources we have.

“I think maybe we need to remember that while thing s will inevitably change to fit the needs of today, the memories the town has won’t go away.”