A CLEAR message has been sent from residents about what they want from the redevelopment of their fire ravaged community shops.

People most want to see the return of a Post Office and supermarket or convenience store at the Triangle Shopping Centre in Langdon Hills.

A consultation about the rebuild of the shops which were gutted in January was carried out by the Langdon Hills Residents’ Association.

It attracted 173 responses and David Burton-Sampson, chairman of the association, said he was pleased with the reaction it received.

He said: “It was great to see the community were so keen to make their views known and be involved in the future of their local facilities.

“It’s now a case of urging the council to seriously consider the feelings of the residents.

They have made their views clear and it’s down to them to listen to those views and put them into action.

“I hope they won’t be ignored.”

All the residents questioned want shopping units and a Post Office to be featured in the new development.

Almost 99 per cent want a Post Office, 91.9 per cent want a supermarket or convenience store, 77 per cent would like take-away facilities and 67 per cent would like to see services such as a hairdressers return.

Just under half those questioned would like to see community facilities. Those questioned did not want housing or office units.

Residents wanted four to six shop units spread over a one or two-floor development.

Parking facilities, cash machines and accessibility for the elderly and disabled were also named as a must.

Mr Burton-Sampson said he presented the consultation results to Basildon Council leader Tony Ball and ward councillors Sandra and Stephen Hillier.

Mrs Hillier said the council also asked for responses through a newsletter, which are being fed back to the regeneration department along with the findings, of Mr Burton- Sampson’s group.