Partners involved in the Nethermayne proposals in Basildon, Essex, highlight the positive benefits of the project following the decision to approve outline plans for 725 homes on public land.
The project is a joint partnership with Basildon Borough Council, South Essex College and the HCA.
Now that outline planning permission has been granted, the prospect of a new College in the town centre is one step closer and given recent headlines about the increase of vacant shops in the town centre, this project is clearly now more important than ever.
Cllr Malcolm Buckley, cabinet member for regeneration is clear of the benefits that the relocation will bring to the town centre and says: “Not only will this project help to deliver new family homes with a new school being provided as the homes are being built, it will also assist the proposed move by South Essex College to a new purpose built campus in the town. With the closure of the SEEVIC facilities, it has become even more important that the Council secures the future of South Essex College within the Borough.
“The addition of hundreds of students and staff into the town centre during the day and evening will assist shopkeepers at a time when the town is facing the same struggles as other places up and down the country.
“The college move and the associated relocation of the market is a key element of our strategy for regenerating the town centre to make it a more vibrant and prosperous place.
“We are expecting that a planning application for the market move will be submitted shortly which will create a modern new market destination for the town that will complement St Martin’s Square and the western end of the town. The college and market moves will give a real economic lift to the town.”
Mike Goulding, Senior Area Manager at the HCA adds: “These proposals will bring positive things to Basildon, including more high quality housing and a brand new town centre college. This investment will help to bring new business and new jobs into the area and we look forward to moving this project forwards.”
A number of transport improvements have been identified through the proposals to improve traffic flow around Dry Street and the Nethermayne areas and the partners have also been successful by securing investment from Government for much needed funding to alleviate traffic congestion, which already exists on Nethermayne.
Essex County Council bid for and secured pinchpoint funding to alleviate the lengthy delays experienced by drivers coming into the town centre during rush- hour.
Other benefits of the proposed scheme include the gifting of land to St Luke’s Hospice to expand as well as securing new and improved wildlife habitats, which the applicants are currently working on.
Cllr Buckley also said that the amount of feeling about Longwood Equestrian Centre was understood and feels that the offer to provide assistance with its relocation is a way of showing that local views do count.
He concluded: “The Leader of the Council and I met with the current operator of the equestrian facility. Mr Lewington’s lease is due to terminate in February 2014 and we see this as an ideal opportunity to secure the facility somewhere in Basildon during the foreseeable future."