Planning Permission Granted On Swan’s Regeneration Of Craylands Estate In Basildon

Swan Housing Association is delighted to confirm that, last night, it received planning approval for its hybrid planning application for the remaining phases of its regeneration of Craylands in Basildon, a project it is working in partnership on with Basildon Borough Council and the Homes and Communities Agency. This approval gives the green light for over 560 new homes and will result in the completion of the regeneration of the estate which has been ongoing for more than ten years and will see over 970 new homes delivered when it is completed.

Designed by Pollard Thomas Edwards, btpw partnership and Outerspace landscape architects, the approved plans build on the already completed phases to create an estate with a substantial green heart. The new homes will be organised around a series of streets and green spaces to create a variety of different characters and interest.

The first phase of the new homes to be delivered, known as Beechwood West, will see 251 new homes designed to resident’s individual specification and constructed as a modular housing system and then delivered to site for assembly.

Swan have recently announced that these homes will be constructed by Swan’s property development arm, NU living, in a new factory which they will open in Basildon under the “NU build” brand. The factory will use Cross Laminated Timber (“CLT”) a sustainable construction material which utilises soft wood timber grown in managed forests, to construct the homes. CLT is tough and long lasting and used widely throughout Europe and the USA to construct homes. CLT is sustainable as the forests are managed so that every tree used is replaced and also because, when used in construction, it locks away carbon rather than omitting further carbon as happens during traditional construction processes.

Following extensive resident consultation, Swan’s plans for Beechwood have been adapted to include a new park to provide a safe space for children to play as well as traffic calming measures. Work will also begin in the Autumn to upgrade the areas of the estate which are not subject to demolition. This major project will include investment in pavements, streetlights and enhanced open spaces and will be delivered in partnership with Basildon Borough Council and Essex County Council.

Geoff Pearce, Swan’s Executive Director of Regeneration and Development commented:

“We are delighted to receive the planning committee’s endorsement for our exciting plans for Beechwood. This will enable us to deliver an exemplar scheme which will bring together the best of modern construction methods, contemporary design, 21st Century environmental performance and great open spaces. Combined with the estate improvements planned in partnership with Basildon Borough Council and Essex County Council, we will deliver unique homes which will combine with the already completed phases and retained stock to deliver an exceptional, high quality regeneration.”

Cllr Phil Turner, Leader of Basildon Council, said:

“This development will complete the transformation of this estate into something quite special. The homes will be of the highest quality and the option for buyers to specify their own new home is exciting and I’m sure it will be very popular.”

Steve Greener, Senior Area Manager, Essex, Homes and Communities Agency commented:

“We are delighted that our continued working with our partners Swan Housing Association and Basildon Borough Council has resulted in approval for a high quality development, that will incorporate custom build homes and provide much-needed housing for people in Basildon. This is a real milestone for this project and we look forward to delivery of the remaining phases of development.”