Basildon district council selected Barratt Wilson Bowden as its development partner for the 25-year scheme.

This week the first two planning submissions went in to build homes on land at the town’s Gloucester Park swimming pool site and an outline application for land presently occupied by the park lake and bowls club.

The developer plans to build 156 new family homes at the swimming pool site to get the huge scheme off to a start.

This would help to fund the second phase of major improvements to the southern part of Gloucester Park.

Some 13 hectares will be revamped to create a ‘city park’ with better pathways, lighting, drainage and new bowling greens, skateboard park and children’s play area.

As part of the plan the developer will fund the creation of a wide boulevard stretching from the town centre to the park.

A new lake will be provided as part of a water course fed from the collection of surface water runoff across the town.

The planned development in the area will include high quality town-houses in a crescent setting fronting the park. Apartments, a hotel and cafes/restaurants are also proposed as part of an outline planning
application for a further second phase.

Cllr Tony Ball, Leader of the Council, sad: “I am pleased to see the submission of these planning applications, as it heralds the first phase of the major regeneration of Basildon town centre.

“I am confident that this scheme will enhance the park and enable further investment into this area.

“The plans for the Green Link Boulevard to the Park will remove the barriers between the town centre and the Park encouraging greater use of the park
and its facilities.

“We are also committed to ensuring that existing facilities affected by the plans are re-provided, including the Children’s play area, bowls club and Skate Park.”

“With the closure of the Gloucester Park swimming pool it is necessary to look at this area first and produce plans for a scheme that will start to build a town centre community. This community will help to support the vibrancy and evening economy that we want to create in Basildon town centre.”