Demolition of Basildon Moon on the Square Begins for 492 New Homes
Demolition has started at the former Moon on the Square site for 492 new homes in Basildon, marking a significant development in the area.
Basildon, UK, Moon on the Square, Housing Development, Demolition
Basildon: So, the demolition crew has finally shown up at the old Moon on the Square pub. They’ve started tearing down the empty shops around it. It’s a big step for the area.
Once they finish knocking everything down, they’re planning to build 492 flats in three tall blocks, some reaching up to 12 stories. That’s quite a change!
They’re also going to add some nice green spaces and public areas. This fits right into the Labour Council’s goal of sprucing up the town center, especially with the Westgate Shopping Centre getting a makeover too.
Local councillor Kerry Smith is feeling hopeful but wants to see some real progress. He’s keen to get those foundations laid and the work moving along.
He mentioned that these homes could have gone on green belt land, but they chose to use brownfield sites instead. That’s a win for the community, he thinks.
However, he’s a bit cautious. He recalled how the old Laindon Shopping Centre was demolished but then just left empty. He wants to make sure this project actually gets completed.
The plans to replace the pub got the green light from the planning inspectorate back in 2021 after some back and forth with the council. It’s been a long road!
Adele Brown, a Labour councillor, has been backing this development, saying the town center really needs this kind of regeneration. It’s all part of a bigger plan for the area.
Last October, the final approvals came through for the developer, Orwell Real Estate, to kick things off. And there’s more on the horizon—495 homes are also in the works at the old M&S site, with plans for four more tower blocks.