123 flats to be built on Wickford town centre site

Explore Living Ltd submitted its latest bid for two six storey blocks along Runwell Road, Wickford.

The developers previously applied for 158 flats but Basildon Council’s planning committee decided this would be an overdevelopment.

Explore Living Ltd hope by cutting 35 flats from the plans it will be more acceptable to councillors.

If agreed the plans would include a part basement and part risen car park with 113 parking spaces.

As part of the application a spokesman for the site said: “Explore Living Ltd own the entire site and has previously been granted planning permission for a mixed-use scheme with commercial space on the ground floor.

“The initial ground works commenced but the development stalled in 2008 due to a change in market conditions and a lack of interest in the ground floor commercial uses.

“The site has remained vacant with hoardings securing the site ever since.

“The owner is keen to develop the site that is a visual gateway to Wickford and proposes a variety of residential apartments.”

Residents said they are pleased something could at last happening on the site after it was left unused for years.

Neighbour Carole Jenkins, 37, of Runwell Road, said: “It is in such a mess it will be good to have something there. I think the awful look of the site does bring down the whole town centre, so I think anything that will improve the look of the area is a good thing.

“As long as it doesn’t cause any more traffic or road issues, I can’t see a problem with the plan and I hope the council does approve it.”

Gregory Fisher, 51, of Church End Lane, Wickford said: “I understand concerns about infrastructure but there must be conditions that can be imposed to sort this. I don’t see why it’s been ongoing for so long now and I don’t want to see it rot and stagnate for years.”

The last plan was refused despite a council officer recommending approval. A decision on the new application could be made in January.