4,500 homes planned for Basildon mini-town (From Echo)

4,500 homes planned for Basildon mini-town

1:15pm Tuesday 5th February 2008 in

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A HUGE housing estate, complete with shops, schools and community centres could be created in Basildon, the Echo can reveal.

Between 2,700 and 4,500 homes, including large, upmarket properties in secluded woodland, could be built on land at Gardiners Lane South, according to council bosses.

Government regeneration agency English Partnerships wants to build the mini-town on the site, which was previously set aside for a business park which promised to create 8,000 jobs.

The scheme collapsed in 2006 after it emerged there was not enough money available to build a vital £40million bridge junction to the park from the A127.

Now English Partnerships wants the whole site for housing and the council's cabinet will vote on early plans tonight.

Jonathan Martin, area director of English Partnerships, said: "English Partnerships and Basil-don Council are working together to determine the best future use for Gardiners Lane South.

"We support the proposal that a predominantly residential scheme is the best solution to create a vibrant and sustainable community."

He was unable to put an exact figure on the number of homes, as surveys are still being carried out.

But he did add it would go a long way to help Basildon meet its target of 10,700 homes by 2021, after plans for 1,200 homes at Dry Street, Basildon, were dropped.

If the council backs the scheme tonight, it and the agency will come up with firm proposals for the area.

Council leader Malcolm Buckley spoke of his sadness at the business park plan collapsing and his hopes for the future.

He said: "It is disappointing the funds are not available to deliver the Gardiners Lane South project as originally envisaged.

"However, the council is excited by the prospect of moving the project forward and seeing some real progress at the site."

Meanwhile, Mr Buckley said Basildon had created nearly 9,000 jobs since 2001.

He said: "This allows us to consider changing the focus of the project.

"Future employment growth will be generated through our four town centre regeneration schemes and through development and business opportunities identified from an employment capacity study."