Local Elections 2012 - Thank you to the 676 residents who voted for David - results

New 'Master Plan' proposal for Basildon

We notice from the recent articles in local newspapers that Basildon Council is asking for residents' views on the town’s future development. It may be a good time to remind people of our experiences of a similar project in Wickford, which has not ended well.

In 2006, Basildon Council held exhibitions and consultations with Wickford residents and finally produced the Wickford Town Centre Master Plan. Residents were largely in favour of a regeneration which would provide many benefits for the town, although there were some concerns about the sheer number of flats that would be needed to pay for it (over 600), and that the height of the blocks would be out of keeping in a small town like Wickford.

We’re now in 2012, and there are 135 flats in 4 multi storey blocks, including a monstrous 7 storey block near the old post office, and two building sites empty for 4 years. But there are no extra doctors, dentists, school places, and NONE of the promised benefits:

• Wickford re-invented as a lifestyle centre
• Atmosphere of vitality and vibrancy
• Street market
• Creating attractive public spaces
• New health centre
• New swimming pool
• New library and community centre.

All of the Councillors' efforts to find a redevelopment partner failed, despite numerous trips to exhibitions in Cannes etc., and the Master Plan was officially shelved in 2010.

What tips can we offer for residents involved in the new consultations?

Get involved, and make your views known, but be firm and demand guarantees, for example

• No building on green belt land
• No loss of green spaces, including sports grounds
• No blocks of flats over 6 storeys
• No building at all until some of the promised benefits are provided

It may all be in vain however. It looks like the Council has made all the decisions, and has produced just 3 ‘options’, two of which will probably be all but unacceptable, leaving residents with Hobson’s choice. This doesn’t look to us like a serious consultation, just a box ticking exercise.