Related Articles
According to council documents ahead of a cabinet meeting next week, both projects will be “decommissioned” by the new Labour-led administration and millions of pounds worth of funding secured from the Government returned.
Under the plans, 64 flats would have been built across 12 storeys at the former Post Office, while three vacant buildings at the Great Oaks site would have been transformed into a creative campus with family spaces, VR events, and workspace for firms in the creative industry.
Gavin Callaghan, leader of Basildon Council, has said the council will focus on the Westgate end of the town – where it recently purchased the Westgate Shopping Centre – as part of its plans to regenerate the town centre.
He said: “The council is making sure we are focused on the areas of the regeneration which we can bring forward quickly and most effectively.
“That means we will be focused on the Westgate end of the town as we own all of the land there.
“The Post Office site is difficult because Royal Mail continue to own and operate the sorting office from there.
“That is delaying any development in that area.
“We will instead focus on delivering Westgate and then look to regenerate the central part of the town centre alongside private landowners.
“Our decisions are driven by what is achievable the quickest.
“If we didn’t do that, nothing would be built for years which is what happened before.”
As part of the development proposals, the council secured £683,000 Brownfield Land Release Fund from One Public Estates to support the former Post Office plan.
It also secured £4,490,000 of Cultural Development Funding from Arts Council England and The Department of Culture Media and Sport as grants to support the Great Oaks site project.
The report also seeks approval to formally withdraw from both funding agreements.
The report adds: “Withdrawing the funding agreements may have a reputational impact on the council. However, this approach will meet the changing needs of the town centre and the wider borough.”
