Basildon Council is looking to acquire flats in a new apartment block in Billericay to use for temporary accommodation, it has been revealed.

The Railstore, in Station Court, Billericay, is a recently completed block of 41 new flats, designed and built by developer Rival Group next door to the town’s train station.

Basildon Council has confirmed it is looking to buy homes in the block but was unable to confirm, when asked by the Echo, how many it hopes to buy and at what cost.

Estate agent Beresford is marketing a two-bed flat in the building for £370,000.

The move comes part of Basildon Council’s move to tackle the £3 million a year spent on BnBs for temporary accommodation by setting aside £80 million to buy high-end properties to cut long-term costs.

This includes a £50 million investment into the Knights Reach development in Dartford and Sempra Home’s Chapelgate project According to a council spokesman, in October, the council’s Cabinet agreed to begin the due diligence work ahead of “acquiring units” in the Railstore.

The spokesman said it will “enabling the council to deliver on priorities including temporary accommodation”.

Basildon council leader, Gavin Callaghan, said: “When it comes to temporary accommodation and getting families out of bed and breakfasts and hotel rooms, we are moving at pace and exploring all options in and out of borough to give our families a better future.

“As and when deals emerge and stand up to our rigorous due diligence process, we will communicate our next steps.

“The families affected are at the forefront of all we doing to work at pace and get these deals done, so long as the represent value for the taxpayer.”

Billericay East Tory councillor, Phil Turner, claimed the council is looking to acquire all of the units in the building and has raised concerns over the investment plan.

He said: “We are sceptical of the Labour-lead administration, and we are sceptical of their approach to homes. We are not against doing something that addresses homelessness but there is a fair chance they are barking up the wrong tree.

“The approach to homelessness and direction is not a problem but the detail on the purchases is concerning.”