The next phase of the Craylands and Fryerns regeneration scheme being delivered by Basildon Council, Swan Housing and Homes England is moving forward.
Work has begun on the new housing being developed on the former Fryerns school site – known as Beechwood Village.
The work is being complimented with new external wall insulation to 135 council homes that are being retained in the development.
Additionally, as part of a £2.2million grant from Essex County Council, Basildon Council has made significant improvements to footpaths and roads on the retained areas of the estate.
A wild meadow has also been planted in Jordan Way to encourage wildlife to make new habitats as well as a programme of tree planting in Hereford Walk to replace low quality trees with higher numbers of native trees.
Basildon Council’s Policy and Resources Committee will meet on Thursday 15 March to decide whether to agree recommendations to approve the use of Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) powers should they be necessary during the North phase of the scheme, which is due to begin in 2019.
Cllr Gavin Callaghan, Basildon Council’s Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee, said: “The committee will discuss whether to agree to use CPO powers but if it were minded to approve them they would only be used as a last resort after extensive negotiations with owners.
“We have a good track record of not having to use CPOs but it is still a necessary part of the development process.
“The scheme is progressing with visible environmental improvements. The recladding of existing properties and tree planting will help to improve the look of the estate.”
The overall regeneration scheme will see the demolition of 521 properties, which will be replaced with up to 994 new homes.
