These two planning applications from Family Mosaic were announced in September 2007 and details are on the council website. Both developments are described in the Master Plan, although they actually lie outside of the area designated as the town centre in the Master Plan document, (we are trying to ascertain the significance of this).

Phase 1 is a full planning application 07/01099/FULL for a residential development of 30 two bedroom and 18 one bed flats in a 3 storey block, to replace the 20 flats which were demolished last year.

Phases 2 and 3 are in an outline application 07/01100/OUT for a new health centre, swimming pool, library and fitness centre on the site of the current pool (phase 2), and a block of 51 flats (phase 3) on the site of the health centre and Cranfield Court.

Both of the applications were passed on 29th January 2008

This was reported in the Echo on 5th September, and there are some interesting comments under the article. Pictures in the Echo are reproduced below - we have been unable to obtain them from the Council, and they are not available on their website. See also Echo article on the exhibition on 25th September

48 flats on the site of the demolished flats in Willow Court

Artist's impression of the new Wickford health centre, pool and library (hoodies optional presumably)

The Wickford Action Group view
The new proposals are the first signs of a development application that resembles its description in the Master Plan - after 18 months and 351 already granted flats! The design does appear to represent a positive regeneration for Wickford, although it has to be said that we already have a swimming pool, library and health centre, so we need to be convinced that the huge cost for the new design in terms of 99 new flats etc. (making 450 so far in Wickford), is justified, and that we don't loose out elsewhere. Regeneration is something the Wickford Action Group have always been in favour of, but not at the expense of overdevelopment without upgrading the support infrastructure. We saw the exhibition in the Community Centre in September, and have the following points:

• A major query we have is that Phases 2 and 3 are just outline plans, why does it have to be this way? It was confirmed by the architect at the exhibition that there is no guarantee that when a full plan is proposed, after phase 1 has been approved and started, that Phase 3 will not suddenly be five or more storeys and 80 plus flats, like 3 - 31 Runwell Road! This was in the original Master Plan that we all voted on, as just 35 town houses, but ended almost three times the size! There is an element of mistrust here, and can anyone wonder?
• A major second issue we have is the nature of the council's response form which residents were invited to complete. This just had one question about the proposal, and from the answers received to this multiple choice tick box, the council would make a conclusion. We hope you all added comments on the back of the sheet, and that the council will read and take them on board! 
• The library appears to occupy less space than at present. The architect stated that this was just a design concept, and would be detailed in the full application in due course. We have not been able to confirm that for example the book shelf space will be at least as much.
• The swimming pool changing area also seems to be reduced in size, and is mixed. With such a major development, and with a bigger population in the town, we would expect these facilities to be bigger rather than smaller.
• Why is this development outside the designated Town Centre Master Plan area, and yet is in the Master Plan? We have no satisfactory explanation of this, and are not sure if it is a significant fact or not.
• The Master Plan promised continuity of service, and whilst we appreciate the design constraints, and that the health centre should take precedence in this respect, the 'out of service' period of 18 months for the pool caused a great deal of upset at the Wickford Action Group public meeting on 27th September. The residents wanted to know what provisions will be made for regular users, such as transport to an alternative pool, help with extra costs involved etc.
• We note from the Planning Report that the revised parking facilities will mean that parents dropping off children at the junior school will now not have the convenience of using the swimming pool car park. This is regarded in the designer's report as a BENEFIT, because parents will now have to walk their children to school! This is a strange case of twisted logic; who do they think they are kidding? The Chelsea tractors will just stop on the main road to drop off their offsprings, causing even more problems.
• What are the plans for the current library building in the immediate period after its closure? If just left empty it would become an eyesore and a target for vandals, and we surely don't want to see it as temporary home to another junk shop!