Basildon regeneration: firms competing to play part in plans

A huge new masterplan includes “something quite special”, and investment experts believe in Basildon, the council's Labour leader Gavin Callaghan says.

He is planning to revitalise Basildon Town Centre with a 5,000-seat arena, new food and drink businesses, new shops, and much more. The council boss is reviving and changing his master plan, which was drawn up in 2020 when he was last in power.

Launch - Leading Basildon councillors and Baroness Smith of Basildon at the New Future vision launch (Image: Paul Starr Photographer)

His impressive and ambitious outlook for the town has attracted the backing of Angela Smith, Baroness Smith of Basildon and leader of the House of Lords, who insists “there are huge opportunities here.”

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Mr Callaghan was joined by Baroness Smith and a number of potential investors, firms and other interested parties at an event to discuss the future of the town on October 3 at Westgate Shopping Park in the town.

An impression of a new transport hub as part of the 2020 plans (Image: Basildon Council)

It comes after Basildon Council purchased the shopping park, with plans for a hotel, new shops and even a huge arena in the town centre. 

Mr Callaghan said: “Basildon Council has launched its bold new vision for the regeneration of Basildon Town Centre. Working closely with investors, architects, landowners, and businesses, we’re shaping ambitious plans for the future, including the South Essex Arena, high-quality retail, food and beverage offerings, and new residential developments.

"The discussions, led by Baroness Angela Smith of Basildon, featured a stellar panel of regeneration experts. For the first time in three years, the private sector is keen to engage with Basildon Council again.

"As we celebrate Basildon’s 75th anniversary, we have a unique opportunity to put our original new town back on the map and secure new investment.”

Artist's impression - South Essex Arena (Image: Basildon Council)Baroness Smith of Basildon said: “The people in the room today are the people that can make things happen; they’ll bring jobs, they’ll bring housing, they’ll bring leisure, they’ll bring entertainment. There’s huge opportunities here.”

Jonathan Carr-West, chief executive of the Local Government Information Unit, an independent, not-for-profit membership organisation working to support and boost councils, is also supporting the master plan.

He said: “It does feel like we’re at the start of something quite special because we have people from businesses, we have people from the community, we have people from the voluntary sector.”

Christin Lyons, assistant director of planning, regeneration and economic development at the council, said: “We’ve got developers already starting to do work, we’ve got sites coming forward already, we have the beginnings of a new masterplan for the land we’ve bought in the west part of Basildon Town Centre, and developers are keen to start working on the rest of the town centre.”

Kieren Majhail, an associate at Karakusevic Carson Architects, said: “Basildon is a first-generation new town, and it’s an established community; now it’s just about making it the best it can be. Basildon is waiting here ready.”

Pram Nayak, investment expert and commercial solicitor, said: “It’s a real team that the private sector can work with, and I believe in Basildon; it’s different this time around.”