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Elections 2021: New party in Basildon oppose high-rise plan Elections 2021: Candidates clash over £600m plans to redevelop Basildon
(about 20 hours later)
Plans for Basildon town centre would see several high-rise apartment blocksPlans for Basildon town centre would see several high-rise apartment blocks
A new political party has been formed for the local elections to oppose the £600m redevelopment of a town centre. A £600m scheme to redevelop a town centre has become the focus of a political row in Essex.
The Basildon Community Residents Party has candidates in seven borough council wards for the 6 May election. A new "masterplan" has been approved by Basildon Council, which is run by an alliance between Labour and seven independent councillors.
A new "masterplan" for the town was approved by the authority, which is run by an alliance between Labour and seven independent councillors. But high-rise blocks, which are part of the plan, have been criticised by Conservatives and a residents' party.
But with a third of the council's seats up for election, control of the authority could change. Labour has said that the plans would see Basildon become the "beating heart of Essex".
The plans would see the redevelopment of the Eastgate shopping centre and the town retail units
According to the council's Basildon's Bouncing Back plan, the regeneration would create 5,000 jobs and provide more cultural spaces in the town.According to the council's Basildon's Bouncing Back plan, the regeneration would create 5,000 jobs and provide more cultural spaces in the town.
Plans include retail development, entertainment venues and high-rise accommodation blocks, which have been opposed by some local residents. The plans would see the redevelopment of the Eastgate shopping centre and the town retail units
However, market trader Harpreet Bhanat said regeneration was "needed". The Labour leader of Basildon Council Gavin Callaghan wrote in the regeneration brochure: "Over the last 18 months, we have been consulting on ideas for what Basildon should look like for the next half-century.
"It would be nice to have more people and footfall in the town centre," he said. "It is clear that the public wants to see a commitment to providing services for young people, council housing, improved office space, better shops, a vibrant retail offer, a night-time economy and safer town centre."
The fruit stall owner was not concerned about high-rise flats as "people need places to live" and he said an increase in the number of residents would be good for businesses in the town centre.
Fruit stall holder Harpreet Bhanat said Basildon town centre needed redevelopment
Jake Hogg, leader of the Basildon Community Residents Party standing in Pitsea North West ward, said it had been set up just for the May election to fight the regeneration plans.
"We're opposed to all inappropriate building within our borough," he said.
He said the proposals would "over-develop" the town centre "essentially turning it into a housing estate".
Mr Hogg said the majority of the flats "will not be affordable" and the town needed "serious investment in low-rise, affordable and council housing".
An artists impression of the regeneration of the Basildon town centre show several high-rise buildings
Conservative councillor David Dadds, whose Billericay East seat is not up for election this year, said his party had issues with the height and density of the development plans.
"It's high-rise and we can't have our residents living in rabbit hutches," he said.
He added developments in the town centre should be "no more than five or six stories".
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Mr Dadds said: "We accept there is a shrinking retail economy - we understand [retail] capacity has to reduce and there will be mixed development between retail, leisure and residential, but that mix has to be right." Conservative councillor David Dadds, whose Billericay East seat is not up for election this year, said his party had issues with the height and density of the development plans.
He said the current plans would "a disaster", and Basildon would "lose that community feel". "It's high-rise and we can't have our residents living in rabbit hutches," he said. He added developments in the town centre should be "no more than five or six stories".
Jake Hogg, from Basildon Community Residents Party (left), and Conservative David Dadds both oppose the plan for Basildon town centre An artists impression of the regeneration of the Basildon town centre show several high-rise buildings
Edward Sainsbury, a Liberal Democrat standing for election in Billericay West ward, said he was concerned about the effect the masterplan would have on infrastructure in the area.Edward Sainsbury, a Liberal Democrat standing for election in Billericay West ward, said he was concerned about the effect the masterplan would have on infrastructure in the area.
"We can already see the pressures in our area as the state of our roads and pavements decline," he said."We can already see the pressures in our area as the state of our roads and pavements decline," he said.
"It is important that any new housing is high quality, affordable and has school and healthcare provision to support it." Jake Hogg, leader of the Basildon Community Residents Party standing in Pitsea North West ward, said it had been set up just for the May election to fight the regeneration plans.
"We're opposed to all inappropriate building within our borough," he said. Mr Hogg said the majority of the flats "will not be affordable" and the town needed "serious investment in low-rise, affordable and council housing".
The Labour Party at Basildon was approached for this story, but declined to comment.The Labour Party at Basildon was approached for this story, but declined to comment.
Reform UK has also been contacted for comment.Reform UK has also been contacted for comment.
Full details of candidates for the 14 Basildon Borough Council wards where elections are taking place can be found on its website.Full details of candidates for the 14 Basildon Borough Council wards where elections are taking place can be found on its website.
ENGLAND'S ELECTIONS: THE BASICSENGLAND'S ELECTIONS: THE BASICS
What's happening? On 6 May, people across England will vote for new councillors, mayors and police and crime commissioners. Register to vote here.What's happening? On 6 May, people across England will vote for new councillors, mayors and police and crime commissioners. Register to vote here.
Why does it matter? When parties win control of a council, they decide policies for your area which could affect services ranging from social care to rubbish collection. Find out more about what councils do.Why does it matter? When parties win control of a council, they decide policies for your area which could affect services ranging from social care to rubbish collection. Find out more about what councils do.
Who can vote? Anyone who lives in England, is registered to vote and aged 18 or over on 6 May is eligible. Find your local election here.Who can vote? Anyone who lives in England, is registered to vote and aged 18 or over on 6 May is eligible. Find your local election here.
Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.ukFind BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk