Craylands approval: Compensation row

From the archive, first published Wednesday 11th Apr 2007.

THE first stage of the controversial Craylands estate redevelopment looks set to be approved - despite major concern over compensation for homeowners.

More than half the 900 homes which face demolition in the £200million rebuild are privately owned.

Homeowners claim they are getting "raw deal" compensation packages and will not be able to buy replacements on the new estate or in Basildon.

Developers, Swan Housing and Lovell, are offering to buy them out at market value with ten per cent compensation and an option to buy a 50 per cent share in the more expensive new builds.

Richard Winter, Craylands residents' association chairman, who lives on the estate, said: "When outline permission was agreed councillors said Swan Housing should ensure a suitable compensation package was agreed with homeowners.

"We have had no other offers on the table and, worse still, have been told there could be problems with the original offer.

"We also believe they do not have enough money to complete the project and offer adequate compensation.

"Approving this, before all these problems are sorted, is opening up a can of worms."

Despite homeowners' fears, most Basildon Council tenants who face upheaval have been satisfied and some have already been offered new homes plus a £4,900 disruption package.

Harry Phillips, 82, who has lived in a sheltered bungalow in Exeter Close for 16 years, said: "Eighteen months ago I had big concerns about this and every month there seemed to be another problem, but now it seems to be sorted and I am happy to go.

"I have been offered a flat in Wickford and it is now being decorated."

Council leader Malcolm Buckley said: "I am now much more confident all four phases of the project will go ahead.

"The funding gap identified has largely been filled."

The first phase involves building 750 new homes on the former Fryerns School site, demolishing the estate's shops, community centre and 391 homes, and developing a temporary replacement shop and centre.

If approved, work could begin by the autumn.