Poundland Wickford: Basildon Council to decide on flats

Basildon Council will meet next week to vote on plans to build 11 flats on top of the high street shop and councillor officers have suggested plans should get the green light. 

As part of the application process, Wickford Town Council raised concerns the new flats would represent “overdevelopment” in the area, while residents claimed “Wickford does not need more flats”. 

At the moment, storage for Poundland is above the shop.

However under plans two additional floors will be created. 

Above - Poundland, Wickford High Street (Image: Google Maps)

Don Morris, Wickford Castledon ward Conservative councillor, said: “Sadly, we need to have more housing in Wickford, but I would rather houses than flats because houses have gardens, and that’s what people want.

“This is because people like to spend time outdoors privately and not in public parks.

“Even though I’m not keen on the idea, I understand the need for more housing to get people on the property ladder.”

The proposed development will include four one-bed homes, three two-bed homes, one two-bed home, one three-bed and two three-bed homes.

Each flat will also have a balcony. 

Wickford Town Council issued an objection on grounds including “overdevelopment of the site” and a “lack of cycle storage taking into consideration some of the proposed flats are three bedroom and only one cycle space per flat has been allocated”.

In total, 20 neighbouring residents and commercial occupiers were notified, and two objections were received on grounds, including Wickford “does not need more flats”.

Andrew Baggott, leader of the Conservative-run council, said: “Any opportunity for people to get on the property ladder is to be welcomed. It gives people a chance to secure a family home.”

The developer will pay £5,100 to additional healthcare provisions to the Mid and South Essex NHS Trust to “mitigate impacts arising from the development”.

The development control committee will make their decision on Wednesday.