Laindon shopping revamp welcomed (From Echo)

Laindon shopping revamp welcomed

11:25am Monday 22nd October 2007 in News

DEVELOPERS behind the latest Laindon shopping centre revamp told how hundreds of residents have welcomed their plans.

Four hundred people responded to a public consultation during a three-day exhibition last month, according to centre owner Neptune Collonade.

The firm claims the "overwhelming majority" supported its vision of a high street of shops, newhomes and health centre to replace the rundown complex.

However, some people are not so happy after it emerged plans include flats eight-storeys high.

Vic York, in his sixties, of Buller Road, Laindon, said: "My fear is we will end up with a huge high-rise housing development with a shopping centre thrown in.

"There is too little detail to comment fully at this stage."

Mr York, a former Basildon Council Tory leader, said many residents he had spoken to were concerned the flats would dominate the area.

Yet Alastair Watson, managing director of the firm, said: "We are delighted so many local residents came to the public exhibition and gave their support to the proposals. We are keen to press ahead and will be continuing our discussions with Basildon Council and the primary care trust to move things forward as quickly as possible."

The company has released a number of the responses, but have not named the individuals involved.

It says a resident of Chancel Court said: "I support the dynamic and modern approach that has been presented. I only hope it will become a reality."

Many residents urged for a new health centre and also a pharmacy to be included in the plans. Others asked for a tea or coffee shop to be included.

A resident of Buller Road said: "We understand the current health centre will not be part of this new development. We feel this should be modernised and brought up to date."

A resident from Newberryside added: "It sounds the centre hopefully will become an uplift for the area."