Firms sought to take on £120m town centre regeneration
Yellow Advertiser, 11 October 2007, by Paul Giles

BASILDON Council has begun the search for a development partner for the £120 million regeneration of Wickford town centre.
  The authority has advertised through the Official Journal of the European Union for a partner to redevelop the town.
   Council leader Malcolm Buckley (Con, Wickford Castledon) said a clear vision for Wickford has been set out.
   He said: "We are delighted that we have now reached a major milestone in the scheme.
   "Wickford and the Basildon' District offers huge opportunities, and we look forward to working with the industry to realise them."
   Mr Buckley's cabinet colleague Stephen Morgan (Con, Billericay West), who is member for development and regeneration, said breathing new life in to the district's town centres is the council's top priority.
   He said: "This news demonstrates our commitment to the development industry and invites them to come up with the best for Wickford.
   "It will also ensure that we find a partner. for the long term in Wickford for the benefit of the local community."
   As part of Wickford Town Centre's masterplan, hundreds of new homes, community space and retail and leisure outlets will be built over the next 10-15 years.
   But Labour councillor Paul Kirkman (Fryerns) feels the public is not behind the council's plans for the town centre.
   He said: "The plans for Wickford are in misalignment with what the people of Wickford want. The administration is running ahead of what people want done in the town.
   "I am not sure this is for the benefit of Wickford or for the private contractors."