A £14MILLION scheme to turn a neglected part of Pitsea town centre into flats and shops has been given the go-ahead.

Basildon Council revealed work on the 121 flats and five new stores is set to begin within the next two weeks.

Shopkeepers have backed the plans to build on derelict land in Station Lane, which joins Pitsea to the nearby Tesco Extra.

They hope it will entice more shoppers from the store to the town centre.

Robert Forge, owner of shoe repairer and locksmith Forge Services, said: “It’s fantastic news. For too long that derelict area has been an eyesore. It will bring more shoppers to the town centre and that’s got to be great news for local businesses.

“I’ve been in Pitsea for almost two years and I absolutely love it. It’s a terrific community and, hopefully, this scheme will bring the investment the town needs.”

Funding for the project will come entirely from the Government’s Housing Communities Agency. The council will also invest £100,000 to refurbish Pitsea Leisure Centre in North-lands Pavement.

Developer Genesis group will be undertaking the project, first revealed in late 2008.

The flats will be a mixture of council tenants, shared ownership and private dwellings.

Residents will also be provided with 126 car parking spaces and 109 bike lock-ups.

Retailers have yet to be found for the stores, which will have a total of 500sq metres of floor space.

Tory Pitsea ward councillor Ann Blake said: “Pitsea badly needs these extra homes, and it’s even better they can be combined into a scheme that will rejuvenate the town centre.”

It is also hoped the project will encourage developer Tulbrook Properties to rekindle plans to turn the deserted Railway pub into a shopping mall.

These proposals stalled since they were announced a year ago, with the developer recently saying it could turn it into a car wash, which local shopkeepers opposed.

Council leader Tony Ball said: “Hopefully this will give a kick-start to the plans for the Railway. It’s looking really tired, but this could be the tipping point for investment in the town centre.”