DEMOLITION work has finally begun on a block of flats on the Craylands Estate as part of the long-awaited regeneration.

The ambitious £250million project was announced in 2006, but, despite some initial success, a huge part of the project was left abandoned and unfinished.

The project was split into three phases and empty homes in “phase north” have become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour and drug use in recent years following the collapse of project’s lead Swan Housing.

Now, Sanctuary Housing has confirmed that “phase north” demolition has begun and plans for a “central hub” where residents can access “recreational opportunities” is set to be approved by Basildon Council next week.

However, Craylands estate south phase resident, Colin Parkins, 65, fears the regeneration may still not reach him.

He said: “The north phase is now underway but that does not affect me, I don’t have much to do with that part of the regeneration.

“Some living closer to it will be wondering what is going to happen next with the demolition but I am none the wiser about if they will finish the north phase and then stop, I am still in limbo.

“The north phase has had demolition for a long time but the south phase, where I am, I have no idea if they can continue that, there are rumours and not much communication about the south phase.

“I’d want them to come out one way or the other.”

Phase west has already seen hundreds of homes completed.

Phase south includes homes which are still being lived in by residents, unlike the empty homes in phase north which are going to be demolished.

According to Sanctuary, the hub allows: “Formal and informal recreational opportunities for residents of this new development.”

Along with the start of the phase north demolition and the near completion of the construction of homes in the western part of the estate, Sanctuary has made significant progress.

A Sanctuary spokesman said: “We are pleased positive progress continues to be made on this site, with the west side of the development now almost completed and demolition to the north having started recently.

“We remain extremely excited to be delivering these much-needed homes for the local community.”