WORK to build 700 home community in Basildon will get underway in the autumn costing a whopping £200million.

Construction will begin on the huge Gardiners Park Village development later this year, with the homes built alongside a new school and improved sporting facilities.

Developers Inland Homes and Homes England are behind the plans with the full project set to be complete within five years.

Basildon United will see a new stadium built on the site but capacity will be reduced from 2,000 to 1,500 seats.

A new loop road will also be built and with both Gardiners Close and Gardiners Way widened.

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Kerry Smith, deputy leader of Basildon Council, urged the developers to use builders and materials from the town when construction begins.

He said: “It’s massively important to use local sources.

“We don’t know the true scale of Covid on the economy or jobs.

“Sempra is talking to every developer who wants to come to the town. If the deal is right, all of the affordable homes could be used for council homes.”

At least 220 of the 700 homes will be deemed affordable.

Under the plans, which have now been given the green light, the Basildon and Rifle Club will be forced to move to Courtauld Road.

A new bus route which services the site would also be developed, alongside a cycle and pedestrian route will be also be installed from Cranes Farm Road.

David Burton Sampson, the Mayor of Basildon, said: “It’s such a huge development for the town, and one that holds a lot of importance.

“The affordable homes are vital for Basildon, alongside the facilities that come with them.

Stephen Wicks, the chief executive of Inland Homes, said: “We are very pleased to have secured planning permission for the Gardiners Park Village site and to be working with Homes England to deliver much needed affordable homes.

“Acquiring and taking brownfield sites through the planning system for development lies at the heart of what we do.”