DEMOLITION works are well underway as part of a major £130 million regeneration of a Basildon housing estate, which will create 971 new homes when completed. 

Works are now resuming on the regeneration of the Craylands Estate in Basildon, now called Beechwood Village, which is off Lincoln Road in the town.

Sanctuary Housing, which is behind the developments, says demolition of homes at the north side of the site should be completed by the end of November to make way for planned new buildings.

However, the developers are still considering the regeneration of the southern part of the estate.

A newsletter issued in May stated: "We're still reviewing the regeneration schemes we took over from Swan. This is to ensure they will deliver for their local communities and are financially viable. We understand that you're keen to know the plans for Beechwood South."

Initial plans to build 1,310 homes were drawn up by Swan Housing and were due to cost a total of £250 million in 2006. Swan became a subsidiary of Sanctuary after suffering from financial issues which garnered criticism from the Government at the time.

More than 450 of the new homes have been completed, with some already occupied by new residents and the development has also seen a new community centre and new shops built for the area. A total of 588 homes were completed on Phase West between 2020 and 2023. A further 79 homes have now been released following the signing of a land transfer agreement with Basildon Council. 

The demolition of the north part of the development has faced delays, with a newsletter dated December 2023, saying the firm had appointed a contractor to do the work was due to start in early 2024. It also stated the firm expected the demolition to be finished by June 2024.

Adele Brown, Labour deputy leader of Basildon Council and cabinet member for strategic planning and infrastructure said: "The transformation of the Craylands Estate, now Beechwood Village, marks a critical moment in Basildon's long-term strategy to build a borough that delivers for all its residents.

"This project, which addresses both the housing shortage and the need for high-quality, modern living spaces, stands as a testament to our commitment to investing in our local communities.

"The demolition of the remaining homes, scheduled to be completed by November, signals real, tangible progress that will soon benefit the people of Craylands and Fryerns.

 "Let's be clear: this regeneration is about more than just bricks and mortar. It represents a new vision for Basildon—a vision of growth, opportunity, and community-building. This administration has made it a priority to provide high-quality, sustainable housing that offers a range of affordable options while enhancing the quality of life for all residents. The homes at Beechwood Village will offer not just shelter but a sense of pride, belonging, and security for families who deserve nothing less."

A Sanctuary spokesman said: "We are pleased to report that positive progress is being made on the north side of the site and that we are aiming to have all the demolition work completed by the end of November.

"We remain extremely excited to be delivering these much-needed homes for the local community."