WORK is due to begin today to tear down old homes on the Craylands estate.

The first part of the demolition is starting in the Norwich Walk area, where the maisonettes will be the first to be cleared.

It is part of the £200million regeneration plan for the area.

The news has been welcomed by councillors who see the start of the demolition as an important step in the development of the estate.

Swan Housing is behind the scheme and Mark Thompson, deputy The long-term regeneration of the estate will see 610 homes demolished and more than 1,300 homes built.

New homes have already been built on the nearby Fryerns School site, which is now known as Beechwood Village.

Rab Fallon, Basildon Council’s head of housing services, added: “The demolition of these maisonettes is a key moment in the regeneration of the Craylands Estate.”