AN MP has praised the regeneration of a Basildon housing estate.

John Baron, MP for Basildon and Billericay, joined members of the Swan Housing Group, former Basildon Council leader Tony Ball, representatives of the Homes and Communities Agency and local residents on Friday at the newly-built Beechwood Village to mark the first building being completed in the current phase of the regeneration of the Craylands estate.

Mr Baron said: “Many congratulations to Swan Housing on what is proving to be a very successful regeneration development. Local residents are happy with progress, with this phase of work due to be completed in March 2015.

“It’s been a great team effort so far, including Basildon Council, and we all look forward to seeing the result.”

Mary Gibbons, director of strategy and support at the Swan Housing Association, said: “As we progress the regeneration, residents will see increasing improvements to the physical fabric of the estate itself. Swan, Basildon Council and the Homes and Communities Agency continue to be committed to delivering a full redevelopment for the local community and this latest progress signifies a major step in the project.”