The site is currently occupied by Frasier's Cafe-bar.

Planning Application 06/01301/FULL from Eastern Square (Essex) Limited, is for a new building containing a medical centre and 30 sheltered housing units.

Proposed medical centre and 30 sheltered housing apartments

The application was refused because of insufficient parking provision and because the flood risk was not fully evaluated.

The application is under appeal, and you can support the development by submitting your views, follow this link. (by 8th June 2007)

Item from Southend Echo 15 Jan 2007 'Nightlife zone is wrong for retirement homes'.
The plan has been recommended by Basildon council officers, but council leader Malcolm Buckley has entered the row, saying: "The application will be considered on its own merits, but in principle, a sheltered housing scheme in an area to be surrounded by pubs, restaurants and nightclubs would be totally inappropriate."

See also the Recorder article on the subject of medical centres: 'Healthcare officials fear centre crisis'
"HEALTH chiefs fear Basildon will face a crisis if more medical centres are not built to cope with increased housing levels. Basildon Council has to find sites for 10,700 homes over the next decade, but primary care trust bosses fear not enough health centres are being planned."

The Wickford Action Group view
We feel that a medical centre would be a good addition to the town's facilities, and we would not be opposed to such a development, the above objections not withstanding. We know the Masterplan proposes this area to be "a strong leisure and recreational theme", but yet more Pubs nightclubs & restaurants? There are other leisure & recreational pursuits that people want, and I am sure when people voted on the masterplan they did not envisage just Pubs, nightclubs, bars and restaurants, we certainly didn't!
The Masterplan, as with all local plans is just a planning exercise. It does not (contrary to wild rumours) confer planning permission in detail or otherwise, nor does it identify what facilities will be located where!