A 95-room hotel with a rooftop bar, shops, restaurants and 525 new homes could replace empty units at an Essex shopping park. 

Basildon Council is planning to overhaul the Westgate Shopping Park and plant trees beside it to "create a pedestrian-priority street."

Plans for the development say building work would happen in phases.

The first phase would involve the construction of the new hotel and around 100 'extra-care residential homes, ' as well as food and drink outlets and shops. The planning application for phase one is due to be submitted in "early summer," and initial plans suggest work could start as early as next year. 

During the second public consultation on the development, new details were revealed for the Westgate project. Plans include building a new culture and arts centre and 525 new homes, 100 of which would be 'extra-care residential homes'.

The council purchased the shopping park a year ago this month for around £18.5 million. The park currently has a range of businesses, including Burger King, Dreams, Home Bargains, and other stores. 

The council said that after the first consultation, plans were changed after "implementing feedback" from the public. The latest proposals include changes to plans for Fodderwick, the main entrance road to the shopping park, through tree planting and landscaping, as well as improvements to street lighting to make a "pedestrian and cycle-friendly" route through the town.

The Westgate shopping park is just one of numerous development projects in Basildon, with plans already agreed for 1,300 new homes, and building work underway on a large new Wetherspoons pub called 'Sigered, King Of Essex.

East Square has already been transformed with the construction of the new Vue Cinema complex and restaurants, including Nando's and Orleto Lounge.

The council is also looking to build a new 5,000-seat arena in the town as part of a major rejuvenation.