I have never read such rubbish as councillor Nigel Smith’s reported comments in the Echo (April 24).

Mr Smith, if you remember, was the Labour leader of Basildon Council which repeatedly told us nothing could be done about the Laindon Centre because it was in private ownership.

When the Conservatives took over the council we threatened the then owners with compulsory purchase if they didn’t get their act together, and they got out rather than take us on.

So much for the council not being able to do anything, but Mr Smith is now indicating the threat of compulsory purchase is still live. It isn’t. The problem with the Laindon redevelopment is the housing market has crashed and is holding everything up.

We had hope some months ago when the government announced a scheme to help local housing projects that seemed perfect for the centre, but it turned out there was no scheme, just a press release to grab some headlines.

They have just reannounced exactly the same scheme in the budget, so we will see if it actually exists this time.

Councillor Steve Horgan
Basildon Council cabinet member for regeneration and green issues