PLANS for four “iconic” blocks of flats which could be as high as 26 storeys have been revealed as part of the £1bn overhaul of Basildon town centre.

The scheme, for 535 build-to-rent flats at Basildon Town Square, is part of the town centre masterplan which will see the old M&S anchor store demolished.

Plans for Town Square North would see the existing 1960s three-storey building retained and reconfigured to create four blocks up to 26 storeys high.

Gavin Callaghan, Labour leader of Basildon Council, said: “These flats are for young people, not exclusively, but we envisage young people will be going into those flats and the council has passed a charter which is the first time anything like this has ever been passed.

Echo:

Renewed - Basildon town centre will be given a £1bn overhaul

“That charter will give Basildon Council first dibs on whether they want to rent or buy these homes. We are actively looking at whether we can purchase some of these homes off plan so we can use them as part of our council housing stock.”

Several residents have raised concerns over the high-rises, as well as additional worries on how the blocks will work now the nation is living through the coronavirus pandemic.

Conservative councillor, Jeff Henry, who is a member of the housing and communities committee and the town centre revival committee, is less than impressed with the high-rise plans.

He told the Echo: “I understand that there are housing shortages but I’ve also known an awful lot of people who have lived in tower blocks over the years and I just don’t find them an adequate solution to housing because they cause more problems.

Echo:

“What you end up with is people going stir crazy. There have been blocks in Dagenham and Southend that had been there for 35 years that have all since come down because they are just not an adequate way of life.

“They are no place to bring up a family and no place to have any kind of quality of life because they don’t offer enough light and personal space - and you can’t spend your entire time out in the streets getting fresh air, you just can’t do it.

“In 2020, it’s a peculiar direction to imagine ourselves going in.”

Mr Callaghan responded: “We have been doing this 18 months and I have not seen a single alternative proposal from the opposition.”

The proposal is for the refurbishment and extension of the existing buildings to provide a variety of shops and commercial uses at ground, first and second floors, as well as up to 535 residential units in four towers above.

The tallest tower (Block A) is proposed to be 26 storeys high and the proposal is separated into East and West Wings.

The application states: “The proposal will deliver transformative improvements to Basildon town centre through the refurbishment and alteration of the existing building, new and iconic landmark towers, high-quality residential units, improved retail and commercial offer, and the significant improvement to the public realm and accessibility of the town centre.”