Masterplan - the current total
 

Masterplan: the tally so far: 735 flats for the town centre

The most recent version of the Masterplan showed 598 homes. Although always stated as a guideline document, we have been concerned by the seemingly ad hoc planning applications sneaking into the area covered by the Masterplan, but having nothing whatever to do with regeneration or improving the amenities or infrastructure. The latest off-the-cuff comments from Councillor Tony Ball in March 2007 says it is now 650,  but we make it 735!

The situation so far?

Masterplan area Original Plan
Nov 2005		 Revised
Feb 2006		 Current Situation
Feb 2010		 Notes
High Street 68 68 no change
Station Gateway 55 55 +4 *1
Riverside Living 140 272 +15 *2
Public & Health 110 122 +41 *3
Eastern Extension 117 81 no change
Southern Gateway 0 0 +77 *4, 5, 6, 7

Totals

 490 598 735
Notes:  
The following were not included in the Masterplan, but are in the Masterplan area:
  • 4 flats in the old fitness centre in Station Avenue (*1)
  • 10 flats at 2-12 the Broadway (on the site of the old bank), and 5 within the two tower blocks (*2)
  • 24 flats in the Willows Centre, over the High Street shops (*3)
  • 24 flats in the Willows Centre, over 'New Look' and proposals for Willow Court (*3)
  • 51 flats approved in Medical Centre, 35 less than 86 in Masterplan (*3)
  • 48 flats at Willow Court, replacing 20 demolished) (*3)
  • 36 flats on the Frasier's site (*4)
  • 24 flats in Woodland's Road, the 'Forge' site (*5)
  • 8 flats on the site of Irvon Cottage (*6)
  • 9 flats at 1a London Road on the site of Wickford Angling (*7)

In addition to these, other developments in Wickford, although outside of the central Masterplan area, will seriously affect the town centre infrastructure; traffic, parking, health services etc. These are:
  • 50 houses on the site of the Wickford Town Football pitch - approved
  • 87 flats on the site of the Toyota garage, on the bypass near Somerfields - approved
  • 200 homes at the top of Station Avenue, the Barn Hall site - approved

A possible 337 extra, making a total of 1,068 new housing units in Wickford! 

The Wickford Action Group view
At planning meetings, where decisions on allowing these blocks of flats are made, we repeatedly hear how sorry the conservative councillors are, but they just have to pass them because they have a government target of 10,700 new houses to build. At the planning meeting on 25th September, this statement was made yet again by Councillor Ann Blake, to which Councillor Gordon responded "yes, but they don't all have to be in Wickford" (to rousing applause from the public gallery).

What they don't say is that this target is for new houses in the whole Basildon area for the period 2001 to 2021, a period of 20 years, and where we are already 9 years in!

For Wickford to meet its proportionate share of this target, we would have to build say 20%, which would mean 2,140 homes over 20 years, which is about 100 per year. This figure can easily be achieved without having to build huge blocks of flats in the centre of a small town like Wickford.

The councillors are still claiming that the Masterplan has 650 housing units, so we are not sure how this fits in with the our estimate of 735. Are the new planned blocks of flats to be accounted within the 650, or are they, as we suspect, over and above these, which means the actual number is 735?

Councillor Horgan, responsible for regeneration, has said on numerous occasions that Wickford needs a Masterplan so that the development of the town is planned rather than defined by ad-hoc applications for blocks of flats. Well, it seems we are to have both! 

He also stated at the public meeting organised by the Wickford Action Group on 22 March 2007, that the council would organise further public meetings to listen and consult with Wickford residents on the future development of the town. We have repeatedly asked Councillor Horgan when this is going to take place, but he does not answer the emails - 3 years and no action!. However, we do congratulate him on helping set up a consultation programme for his own constituency of Billericay, the 'Billericay Design Statement'. 

 
Site last updated: February 07, 2010