£200 Million Regeneration Project hits a Demolition Milestone
An important milestone was reached this week at a Basildon housing estate with the start of demoliton works as part of a £200 million regen
eration project.
The regeneration of the Craylands Estate is being led by Swan Housing Association and contractor Higgins, in partnership with the Homes and Communities Agency and Basildon Borough Council.
To date much of the work in the area has focussed on the development of new homes at Beechwood Village, the newest part of Craylands. The start of demolition works by Swan’s Contractor Higgins marks the begining of a process that will see the estate’s old and outmoded social housing stock replaced by high quality homes for the 21st Century.
Craylands consists of 968 properties and is home to more than 2,400 people. The long-term regeneration of the estate will see 604 outmoded homes demolished and more than 1,300 new homes built.
This week, the first homes started to come down with maisonettes in the Norwich Walk area of the estate cleared. Local residents were among the onlookers there to witness this important and symbolic moment.
Swan Housing Association Deputy Chief Executive, Mark Thompson, said: “The start of demolition work marks an important next step in the regeneration of Craylands.
It’s also important for residents to see physical evidence of the clearance of old homes that will be replaced by decent homes fit for modern living.”
Rab Fallon, Basildon Council's head of housing services, said: “The demolition of this maisonette building is a key moment in the regeneration of the Craylands Estate. I am delighted to see the demolition begin.”