LANDMARK high-rise blocks up to 20 storeys high are planned for the heart of Basildon - and families are urged to have their say

Residents have been asked to share their views on the ambitious and bold plans to revamp the town centre.

The Town Square North site will be transformed into a landmark building at the centre of Basildon to provide vital new housing and office space, and restaurants and cafés to revitalise the town centre.

Developer Basildon Estates is proposing four high-rise blocks with the tallest around 20 stories, to sit in the centre of the town on the corner of St Martin’s Square as a landmark.

Council leader Gavin Callaghan said: “Clearly since M&S and BHS left it’s left a huge gap in that area of the town centre and what we need to be able to do is bring that building to life.

“At the moment there’s just a brick wall that backs out onto St. Martin’s Square.

“The whole journey of the town centre is geared towards getting out of it rather than dwelling in it

“What we want is more of the development to face St. Martin’s Square.

“Where the old M&S block was to be glass and restaurants facing the council building where the arena will be, to help bring it to life.

“The council will be meeting tonight to discuss the responses from the consultation, and in September councillors will vote on the masterplan to start to bring forward applications from developers.

“We already have the first four planning applications that have come forward.”

Pitsea resident, Sharon Forsdyke, 42, is looking forward to seeing the transformation.

A series of online webinars are set to take place and socially distanced community engagement events in the town centre. For more information, visit www.basildontownsquare-consultation.com