A CASH injection from the Government could finally spark the long-awaited £60 million regeneration of Hadleigh town centre and the building a host of a new homes.

Castle Point Council previously received a grant from Homes England to buy and demolish the old Crown Pub - which had been closed since 2009 - in the town centre on a site known as Hadleigh Island.

Despite the pub being torn down in 2020, the council has been unable to find the finances to move forward with the project, leaving the site a derelict eyesore in the heart of the town.

Now, conversations are underway with Homes England for a further grant that could finally see the scheme get off the ground and roughly 60 new homes built.

Initial plans would have seen a new library built alongside flats and an art studio revamped.

But Dave Blackwell, leader of Castle Point Council, believes the project will see social housing and shops built.

Read more >>> Demolition under way at 250-year-old pub ahead of £60m town revamp

He said: “Homes England and the council are keen to develop the island site with flats and shops. We’re desperate to get it done because it looks terrible.

“Homes England are looking for shovel-ready sites. The site is massive. I think it would have to be social housing because that’s something we need in Castle Point, with shops underneath to fit in with the town centre.

“This is an opportunity to regenerate the town centre. Homes England gave us £700,000 to purchase the old pub and clear the site. That was eight years ago. We wanted to regenerate the town centre but that never happened. Government policy now is to regenerate town centres.”

Following years of delays, the council leader is now confident the site will qualify for funding and the plans progress rapidly.

Mr Blackwell added: “The Hadleigh site is one of the prime sites and I’d like to think it will be considered. The Government keeps saying they are desperate for social housing and this site has been ready to go for eight years. I’m quite confident that the site will be identified as one of the priorities.

“I think it would bring life back to the town centre and bring more businesses in.”