THOUSANDS of homes will be built on top of Basildon’s Asda when part of Eastgate Shopping Centre is demolished.

A huge redevelopment of the shopping centre will see 2,800 flats built, with the Asda store demolished and rebuilt into a smaller store in the centre.

Hundreds of flats, which will include student accommodation and affordable homes, will then be built on top of the relocated Asda.

A ground floor car park will serve the Asda above.

The plans come as part of Basildon’s £1billion masterplan, which will “transform the town centre.”

Kerry Smith, the deputy leader of the council, said: “There’s nobody queueing up to fill the empty shops.

“With the rise in online shopping, stores are closing all the time.

“It is a massive Asda store in there.”

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Developers Sovereign Centros and Leslie Jones Architecture unveiled the bold new plans in September.

Almost 600 jobs will be created.

Plans suggest there would be 411 new car parking spaces, with 250 spaces shared with the Eastgate Shopping Centre.

Mr Smith, said the council didn’t have a “silver bullet” which would reject the plans. He added: “Retailers just aren’t in there.

“Homes will be on top of the Asda, which will be on top of a car park.

“It’s vitally important the Asda stays in the town centre.

“There was a lot of concern when the application was submitted that we would be left without one, but Asda are keen to stay in the Eastgate and the town centre.”

The huge plans also outline ambitious intentions for “Eastern Gardens”, which would include nine acres of green space, with 3,000 trees planted.

Asda bosses are believed to be in favour of the plans.

The homes will be part of buildings up to 18 stories.

A planning statement reads: “The proposed development constitutes a significant regeneration opportunity for Basildon. It will provide the homes, jobs and services that people need, reducing environmental risks and delivering well designed buildings and urban spaces.”