A DEVELOPER has submitted plans to build another 100 homes in Gloucester Park.

Barratt Homes has unveiled the latest stage of its Acacia Park development, which adds to the 144 homes already being built.

Acacia Park caused controversy when it was first mooted, as it will take up land in the park which was sold to help pay for the nearby Basildon Sporting Village.

But a Barratt spokesman said: “The first phase, Acacia Park, has been hugely successful to date, delivering a number of benefits locally including significant park improvement work, enhanced town centre links and a number of local apprentices being employed to work at the development.

“We have seen a strong demand for family housing in the town and are addressing this by submitting plans for a more family housing orientated scheme.”

Barratt plan to build a new lake with a piazza adjoining it, as well as new sports pitches and play areas to make up for the loss of some of Gloucester Park.

The plans will also aim to open up the estate to the town centre, with a boulevard and then pathway over Broadway into the shopping area and St Martin’s Square.

Malcolm Buckley, Basildon councillor responsible for regeneration, said: “The developers still have confidence to bring forward developments to build a substantial amount of homes, which is good to see.

“The pathway into the town centre will provide a much better access to the shops in comparison to an underpass and it will provide a greener link for the park to the shops, which was one of the key ideas of the masterplan.

“It’s an opportunity for the park to be integrated into the town centre.”

The homes in this plan will be a mixture of two, three, and four bed houses, as well as apartments.