Campaigners told: Homes mean cash (From Echo)

Campaigners told: Homes mean cash

3:58pm Thursday 2nd August 2007 in News By Jon Austin

CAMPAIGNERS against the £100million Wickford masterplan have been told they cannot expect improvements in the town without more homes.

Stephen Horgan, Tory cabinet member for regeneration, said the council must strike deals with home developers to encourage them to inject more cash into the area.

He said: "Quite simply they have got it wrong.

"We will not get the community centre, swimming pool and other improvements in the masterplan without private investment.

"To do that they need to build homes. I wish everyone agreed with me, because we are right.

"But unfortunately that is not always the case. Sometimes you just have to do the right thing despite opposition."

Mr Horgan promised more consultation over the plans.

But Basildon Labour group leader Nigel Smith said: "If the residents of Wickford are so wrong, why are you consulting them?"

Mr Horgan explained: "Consultation is about listening to people, it does not mean we have to do exactly as they ask.

"It is also a way of keeping people updated of progress.

"We want people's views and input on the detail of what is developed, which we will take on board, but there is no longer a question of homes being built. They have to go somewhere."

Windfall for the agents?

CAMPAIGNERS fear the masterplan will benefit property barons rather than residents.

Members of Wickford Action Group say specialist "buy to let" estate agents are waiting to cash in on the town's property boom.

Cowling & Payne, in the High Street, has recently trebled the size of its agency, taking over two shop units next door.

Both the new shopfronts are stocked with empty advertising boards waiting to be filled with details of properties for sale.

Action group member John Rushton, 62, said: "This is right opposite the site of where a five-storey block of 85 flats is going to be built. They must be anticipating a big market for buy-to-let.

"The town could be swamped with buy-to-let investors and local residents hoping to get on the property ladder themselves won't stand a chance."

New group splits town's residents

A NEW campaign group has emerged purely to fight the Barn Hall proposals in Wickford - causing a split between residents in the town.

Wickford North Green Action Group believes residents must accept flat building in the town to safeguard Barn Hall from 200 homes.

However, Alan Ball, of Wickford Action Group, said: "We are also against Barn Hall being built on, but this does not mean we have to suffer over-development in the town.

"They are cramming 24 flats into sites suitable for five or six without putting in services."

Residents have until the end of the month to lodge their objections to homes being built on the Barn Hall site.

They will be considered by Basildon Council's development control committee before it votes on Gleeson Homes application later this year.