Laindon's car park 14 plans sent back to drawing board

Sempra, Basildon Council’s housing firm, submitted plans to build 233 homes in several tower blocks off Laindon Link on “car park 14”.

The proposals included five blocks of flats, one of which totalled 10 storeys, alongside new vehicle and pedestrian access from the main road, and 147 car parking spaces.

However, as fears over height of buildings remain among residents and Basildon’s Tories, Sempra have been ordered to come up with new plans.

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The design and financial viability of the plans have also been called into question.

Andrew Baggott, leader of Basildon Council, said: “There was nothing majorly wrong with the plans, but with everything in planning, if you want to make some changes, you have to take a few steps back.

“We want the development to match our ambitions for the whole town.

“It needs to be looked at again, considering the height and the design.

“We have to make sure the finances are viable, and it’s the right design.”

Basildon Council recently rejected plans in Basildon Town Centre to build high rise flats for hundreds of homes in Market Square, some of which totalled 17-storeys.

However, despite pleas from residents, proposals to build two 11-storey buildings at Great Oaks in the town centre were recently approved.

This comes after documents revealed how 6,048 homes must be built across the borough in the next five years.

In a document signed by Christine Lyons, Basildon Council’s head of planning, Sempra’s withdrawal was confirmed.

The plans, which include one, two and three bedroom flats, stated: “The proposal is for a series of apartment blocks and house terraces designed and sitting within new and existing landscaping.

“The proposal is for five apartment blocks of varying heights, from 5-10 storeys to the east and five house terraces to the west.”