A NEW community event on what will happen to the half abandoned Laindon Centre building site is set to take place, the Echo understands. 

Construction on the Laindon Place project, which is replacing the former Laindon Centre, stopped in 2022.

But following the acquisition of Swan Housing by Sanctuary the plans were set to be brought back to life.

Dubbed an “exciting regeneration project”, it is set to boast shops, office space, a health centre and a high-quality collection of homes.

Laindon Place is to offer two and three bed semi-detached properties, which are available through shared ownership.

When complete, it will “create a new haven for living, socialising, shopping and working”.

The original developer took ownership of the scheme in 2015 after six failed attempts to regenerate the former shopping centre site, with them tearing down the building in 2019.

Lee Chapel North ward councillor Susanna Caira-Neeson, says a new community event is likely to be held to help decide the future of the site. 

She said: “They [Sanctuary] had an officer briefing a couple of weeks ago now, and it transpires they are now going to hold a community event, meaning they have got some changes to the plans, which they want to seek community approval on.

“The residents have said what they want. If you ask the majority of residents what they want to see on the site, the housing estate is aside of it.

“The main ask is a shopping centre. We are the only town, of which Laindon is one of the oldest, and we are now left with no shopping centre.

“I am concerned, and I think it would be a great idea for the managing director to have a conversation with the three Lee Chapel North councillors and the Laindon councillors.”

The Echo has contacted Sanctuary for a comment, but did not respond in time for print.

This project forms part of the new Laindon Town Centre, which will contain 16 ground floor retail units, as well as a new Lidl.

For more information about the Laindon Place project visit laindonplace.co.uk.