BASILDON council is set to buy up plots of land for £1 to ensure a major regeneration of the town centre goes ahead.

Documents seen by the Echo revealed council officers have advised the council takes advantage of the peppercorn price for parcels of land around East Square and East Walk.

The land is currently owned by Basildon Town Centre Management (BTCM) and in addition to the £1 nominal fee, the council will also hand over a small parcel of land which is currently used to store road sweepers.

It is understood BTCM will convert this land into a disabled car park.

The deal has been welcomed by councillors who have branded the decision a boost for the town centre.

Basildon Council leader Andrew Baggott said: “Basildon town centre is a bit of a patchwork of ownership and we’ve got a very good regeneration team who are looking at which parcels of land would make the most sense.

“This is the sort of reverse of the hotel issue that came up. When you’ve got land where there’s viability to it and can do things with it, a nominal fee is usual.

“Because it’s for regeneration, to achieve a higher purpose, it is naturally given over so the deal can be done. This isn’t giving us money to make a profit - it’s so we can utilise the land for public benefit.

“The deal puts the council in the driving seat to make sure the regeneration works proceed at a good pace but also, when they do come to fruition that we are able to have a hand in the up-keep.”

The town centre is undergoing a multi-million pound regeneration that the council hope will make it a more attractive place for families and shoppers alike.

At the heart of plans is a ten-screen cinema in East Square which will be accompanied by six new restaurants.

David Burton-Sampson, deputy leader of the Labour group and ward councillor for the town centre, said the move was the definition of a good deal for the taxpayer.

He added: “I believe this has always been part of the regeneration plans to ensure it is successful.

“It’s a win for the council because they are not paying extortionate amounts to help cement the regeneration so in that respect it is good news.

“I would take issue if this was seen as some kind of mitigation for the golf club land controversy where the council sold land for £1 when we paid more than £1 million for it - that did not represent a good deal for the taxpayer.

“We should be protecting taxpayers’ money at every opportunity.”

Independent councillor Kerry Smith said it must be accompanied by detailed plans and added: “Everything is piece-meal in Basildon and there’s no general overall plan which is what it’s lacking. The council need to have a detailed plan for the future.” BTCM were contacted for comment but did not respond before the paper went to press.