Here's what's happening in the town at the moment. Click the left menu links to read more.

3-31 Runwell Road ('Runwell Towers') - work stopped July 2008 84 flats with some retail outlets in a 5 storey block on the site of 3 car sales plots, and overshadowing Wickford tennis club and the cricket ground. The application from the mysterious 'Butie Limited', registered in the British Virgin Islands, has now been sold on to Explore Living, who have boarded up the site and cleared it - but no building for nearly 2 years! Nice fat profit for the faceless Butie Limited though!

Barn Hall - Land north of Station Avenue The planning application from Gleeson's and Gladedale's for 200 homes on this site was submitted in June 2007, but the council delayed the decision date and because of the delay, the developers have been able to appeal. Now approved, and building will commence. The land is NOT green belt due to another oversight by the council, and the worry is that these 200 homes could be the tip of the iceberg of 2,000 homes around Barn Hall.

Riverside Place, 1-29 Lower Southend Road 173 flats in two blocks by Bradgate Developments (Director Runwell councillor Ray Ride). The 7 storey phase 1 block running along side of the bypass is now complete and some flats sold (4 at end 2009). Will the wooden cladding will keep out the traffic noise we wonder?. The Compulsory Purchase Order to demolish the PO Delivery office for Phase 2 has now been withdrawn, so the completion of the project is now in doubt.

Frasier's Site - work stopped August 2008 - restarted February 2009 36 flats with 5 retail outlets, in a 5 storey block on the site of Frasier's cafe/bar. Although this area of the Masterplan was set for leisure, the council passed it even though they previously turned down a similar application for the Medical Centre and 30 sheltered flats on this site. Now complete and we understand all flats sold.

Woodlands Road 24 flats in a 4 storey block, passed in June 2007 for Childs Property. This was not in the Masterplan, but is in the area covered by it - it is an extra. Now complete and for sale.

The Willows The second phase, 'the Nissan Hut', is now complete and for sale. This is for 2 extra stories over New Look in the Willowdale Centre for 24 flats by Metropolitan & County, similar to the previous development on the other corner of the building. Had Chelmsford Council been in charge, each 24 flat development would have had to include a contribution for affordable housing, but Basildon's weak planning policy let them get away with none at all.  10 of the public parking spaces have been reserved for residents of the 24 flats, which seems insufficient for them, as well as being a loss of parking spaces for shoppers, a lose - lose situation for Wickford residents!.

Swimming pool & Health Centre A key part of BDC's Masterplan, the first part will be flats by Family Mosaic, to replace the 20 flats demolished last year. This will be followed by 51 flats and a replaced swimming pool / library / health centre. The pool will be closed for 18 months.  The last we heard was that the council is in dispute over the funding for the initial flats development, see the Echo 23 May 08

Essex Park Garage (Audi showroom) Not in the Masterplan area, the first approved application (on appeal), was for 87 flats. Demolition work is now complete, but the site has been empty since Christmas 2008. A new plan is for 24 flats and the re-sited London Road Health Centre, plus a possible Medical Centre.