A SHOPPING park and car park that is used by visitors from all over south Essex could become a "landmark" hotel and place for "high-quality homes".

Basildon Council plans to majorly redevelop the Westgate Shopping Park, off Fodderwick, Basildon. Phase one of the development would include a new hotel and new homes, which would replace part of the large, vacant building at the shopping park.

The council will discuss the plans at a cabinet meeting on December 9. The council plans to submit a detailed planning application for phase one in the spring of next year. The documents for the meeting state: "An emerging set of project and masterplan priorities has been established, and these include: a welcoming and thriving gateway to the town centre, an enhanced culture and leisure offer, new green links and spaces, active travel and reduced car domination, and new housing for everyone."

The plans are set to see a mix of residential and non-residential uses to encourage footfall throughout the day and boost the evening economy, additional spaces for the culture and leisure offering, new spaces for creative and community uses around St Martin's Square and retaining and extending existing buildings or providing a new venue space. The plans also include reassessing existing car parking. 

The council officer's report states: "Phase One represents a major opportunity within the evolving town centre, introducing high-quality homes, a new landmark hotel and associated public realm that will act as a catalyst for the wider regeneration.

The design team has also developed design proposals for Phase 1 showing the opportunities to deliver significant change in the short term, helping to contribute to delivery of the emerging Town Centre masterplan vision, and acting as a catalyst for future development. – Designs for Phase 1 of the masterplan are being developed with sensitivity and consideration to adjacent emerging proposals, and to the future development of the Westgate masterplan, ensuring a high-quality, well-connected, and inclusive environment for future residents and visitors. 

In June 2024, the Council acquired the Westgate Retail Park, securing control of 5.41 hectares of land on the western edge of Basildon Town Centre.

This also includes the Towngate Theatre and the Basildon Centre. The combined Westgate and Town Centre sites represent a significant asset for the Council, offering a major opportunity to catalyse Council-led regeneration. This site has the potential to revitalise the western edge of the Town Centre, drive housing and employment growth, and to increase footfall through regenerative placemaking on a prominent gateway site."

Gavin Callaghan, leader of Basildon Council, said: "The cabinet will meet next week to discuss plans for the future of Westgate Retail Park. One of the first things we did when we came into administration was to take possession of Westgate Retail Park to ensure a brighter future for the whole of Basildon Town Centre. Since then, we have moved quickly to set out clear proposals for the site and I'm grateful to KCA for their support. 

"Our borough is at the forefront of regeneration in the south east and this administration is ready to seize the opportunity.

"We are bringing new opportunities, prosperity and life back to our largest town centre. This is what we mean when we say believe in Basildon."