CONSTRUCTION work to build 492 flats in the centre of Basildon is progressing, with cranes now looming above the site.

Orwell Real Estates is building new homes in the town centre, which will be exclusively for rent, and says work is "progressing steadily".

Plans for the two flat blocks were given approval in December 2021. The council, which was a Conservative administration at the time, had initially rejected the plans, but they were eventually approved on appeal.

The new flats are replacing the former Moon on Square Wetherspoons pub, and demolition of the old site, as well as substructure works, are now complete. Orwell Real Estates says locals will soon see "visible" progress on the first flat block, which will be 17 storeys high once complete. The developer said the second flat block would soon follow.

The development is set to include one and two-bedroom flats for rent, five outdoor terraces, a gym, and co-working areas, and building work has had a "strong focus" on local employment, particularly to help young people get careers in construction.

The development is part of a larger overhaul of Basildon with more than 1,200 homes planned, a 3,500-seat arena, and a huge new sports bar. Last summer, the town also saw the launch of the new Vue Cinema, with restaurants and businesses beneath it.

A spokesman for the developer said: "The plans will deliver 492 new build-to-rent homes, well-suited to commuters with direct access to the nearby c2c railway, approximately 17,000 square feet of new retail space, supporting local services and economic activity.

"The development represents a significant investment in Basildon, demonstrating confidence in both the construction and property markets."