Craylands revamp: 200 homes set for approval (From Echo)

Craylands revamp: 200 homes set for approval

7:00am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Basildon By Faye Hackwell

The shape of things to come – an impression of part of the development

PLANS to transform the run-down Craylands estate by building 206 homes, shops and a community hall are set to be approved.

The latest phase of the Basildon estate’s £250million regeneration involves a mix of private and social housing, including flats, maisonettes and houses.

The plans also include demolishing 161 homes and building 300 parking spaces and three shops.

The application, which Basildon Council officers have recommended for approval, is the latest submitted by developer Swan Housing as part of the ten-year project.

It sets out the latest designs for the homes, which feature Victorian influences like stone door and window surrounds, projected window sills and bow windows – unlike earlier, plainer designs.

The maisonettes and flats would be built in blocks and houses in terraces coming off small roads and paths. The area involved covers several roads, including Southwark Path, Craylands, Exeter Close, Chichester Close, Norwich Walk, Lincoln Road and Rochester Way.

The plans include a new neighbourhood centre with green space and a three-storey building housing three shops, a community hall and 16 flats next door.

Demolition of some homes began in December.

The existing shops and community buildings in Norwich Walk are set to be bulldozed.

Sarah Wells, 36, of Lincoln Road, said residents were pleased the project was making progress.

She said: “I hope the plans are approved because we’ve been waiting a long time for the estate to be improved.

“I think the new shops and community hall will be well used.’’ The first plans for the project were approved by Basildon Council in outline form in November 2006.

Detailed plans for the first phase were passed the following April.

The overall project involves building 1,310 homes, including 634 on Craylands and 676 on the nearby former Fryerns School site – which has been renamed Beechwood Village Gerry Levelle, the council’s head of environment and community services, said: “The proposed development seeks to provide a more distinctive style to the new development, as well as enabling construction of the first elements of the new village centre.

“The buildings have been designed in a more traditional manner and will give a more pleasing appearance.

“Overall, the changes are considered to be welcome, adding character, creating a development that has its own sense of place and bringing forward a further phase of the development.’’ Councillors are due to vote on the application tomorrow.