A CONTROVERSIAL scheme to knock down Wickford’s postal sorting office will be reviewed by the Government.

Basildon Council wants to demolish the office, along with surrounding shops, where 173 flats could be built as part of a masterplan for the area.

However, following objections to the scheme from Royal Mail and the Wickford Action Group, a review will be held by an independent Government inspector into the council’s compulsory purchase order on the site in Lower Southend Road, Wickford.

A public inquiry will be held at the Basildon Centre, in St Martin’s Square, on Tuesday, July 7, at 10am.

The Government inspector will then make a ruling following the inquiry about whether the scheme should go ahead.

Alan Ball, chairman of the Wickford Action Group, said he was delighted the inquiry will be heard.

He said: “It’s good we will get everything out in the open and get a discussion about it.

“At the moment we don’t feel there’s any legitimate reason for this to go ahead.

“You only have to look around to see there are already so many flats which have been built and aren’t selling.

“What’s the point of building more in today’s climate and getting rid of something used by the people of Wickford?”

The Echo recently reported the future of the compulsory purchase order was in doubt, after the Lands Tribunal overseeing all such purchases confirmed no order was currently lodged by the council.

However, Mr Ball said he believed the council was still keen to develop the site, so the inquiry was necessary.

James Taylor, Royal Mail spokesman, said ongoing talks about the future of the site were being held with the council.

He said: “Our priority is to deliver a high quality mail service to our customers and have the appropriate facilities to do this.

“We continue to negotiate with the council.”

Tony Ball, leader of Basildon Council, said he could not comment on the inquiry because of continuing talks between the council and the potential developer for the site, Bradgate.