What the Masterplan says...
"Re-organisation of existing health, library and community services into a new ‘iconic’ building to the east of Market Avenue as an integrated community service facility. New residential development to the west of Market Avenue."

The Masterplan strategy for this area
Block E opposite is a new 'integrated local service centre' with 36 residential units above, (originally 24), on the site of the library and community centre, which it will incorporate. Block D1 is on the site of the medical centre and swimming pool, and D2 is now open land where flats have recently been demolished. These will become mixed use developments incorporating an 'expanded' swimming pool including leisure and fitness facilities, integrated with the 86 new town-houses. An option is to relocate the pool elsewhere in the town. Another option is to include the BT exchange in the plan, pending agreement.

"A transformed tree-lined avenue with generous pavements, connecting the station area and creating a safe and attractive setting for a number of new residential dwellings."

What is actually happening?

• The flats on Market Avenue have been demolished (on safety grounds), and it is planned that new affordable housing will be built by the Mosaic Housing Association.
  
  
• We have also now seen the proposals for the swimming pool, which will be rebuilt on the same site, together with 51 flats
  
  
• Building is in progress for 24 flats on two storeys above New Look (the old Co-op) in the Willowdale Centre, similar to Urban Pulse in the same area.

Current situation - number of residential units
In Masterplan	Proposals	Plans in	Approved	Built	Poss. Total
122	51	48	24	0	159*
* 48 Phase1, 51 Phase 3, 36 Block E, 24 New Look

The Wickford Action Group view
There is some uncertainty as to where the Community Centre will fit into this area. Although the Masterplan puts it in the same site as it is now, it has been suggested that it may in fact  be relocated onto the Willows car park in Market Rd, which wouldn't seem large enough.

We will get a better idea when Mosaic submit their plans, although these will have to be in phases as the Health Centre can not be demolished until a new one is built.

We will be watching to see developments and planning applications in this area and as usual challenging any that are detrimental to Wickford and its residents.