NOBODY will visit Basildon’s new Empire Cinema complex at night out of fear of getting mugged, a housing developer’s lawyer has claimed.

Developer Infrared is fighting Basildon Council over plans to build 2,800 homes on the Eastgate Shopping Centre in Southernhay.

The plans, originally approved by the then-Labour and Independents administration in April 2021, were scrapped after the Conservatives took control of the council.

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At a hearing to decide the fate of the plan’s, Infrared’s Lawyers told a Government planning inspector more housing was needed in the town centre to make residents feel safe at night.

Elizabeth Reynolds, a planning officer called as a witness by the council, had argued the council was adequately working to regenerate the town centre, citing the East Square Empire Cinema complex as evidence.

However, Charlie Banner QC, lead counsel for the developer, rubbished the claims, retorting the area needed development, or people would avoid the cinema.

"At the moment, nobody would wants to go to the cinema at night because they might get mugged because the town centre is deserted at night,” he told the hearing.

Speaking following the hearing, councilor Craig Rimmer said: “I don’t give his arguments any credence, they are highly speculative.

“Nowhere is 100 per cent safe, that is why we have invested as a council in extra policing, in extra security and have put a PSPO in place.

“I can’t wait to go to the cinema, and the same can be said for many of my residents, who have expressed no such fears.”

Mr Banner further told the meeting: “Basildon town centre is in a downward spiral… The local authority has an out-of-date development plan, the new local plan has been abandoned, and the planning committee members have a track record of overruling professional advice.

“There is a significant risk, that if this appeal is dismissed, the Eastgate will miss out on regeneration for years.”

“You could call it risk of missing out or dodging a bullet,” Ms Reynolds hit back.

The long-awaited £25 million 10-screen cinema complex will open its doors in October after months of delays.

The complex will feature six restaurants, with an Orleto Lounge already opened, and a Nando’s and Kaspa’s deserts also confirmed to be joining the scheme.