A NEW ten-screen cinema and restaurant complex for Basildon could be "highly detrimental" to rare architecture in the town, according to a campaign group.

As part of the council's plans, Freedom House, in East Square, would be demolished along with a parade of shops in East Walk to make way for the new building, which would house a new cinema and six restaurants.

However, the Twentieth Century Society, which campaigns for the preservation of architectural heritage from 1914 onwards, is concerned the new building could ruin the best and last surviving completely intact parts of New Town architecture in Basildon, the master plan of which was designed by Sir Basil Spence.

Clare Price, C20’s head of casework, said: “There are several alternative sites which would not cause damage for this redevelopment.

"The empty post office building with sorting office behind would allow an almost identical location without the loss of important non-designated heritage assets.

"The prominent Toys R Us building and car park provide another very credible alternative for a cinema use that is also vacant and will have the additional benefit of re-vitalising the retail areas of East Walk.

“There is a clear opportunity here for imaginative refurbishment proposals not just a short-sighted and overpowering redevelopment which would destroy what makes this unique. Such a solution would not preclude public realm improvements and access problems being resolved: this can be done whilst retaining the existing buildings.”

The society says the plans would cause serious harm to the setting of the Grade II listed Brooke House, both by the loss of important listed landscape features including a staircase and a bench, but also due to the scale, size and design of the proposed replacement building.

The tower block of 14 storey flats was designed by Anthony B. Davies, chief architect and planner to Basildon Development Corporation with Sir Basil Spence as consultant between 1960 and 1962.

Brooke House was given Grade II listed status in 1998.

The society is also objecting to the proposed demolition of Freedom House and the parade of shops behind in East Walk.

C20 describes Freedom House as a particularly fine example of the Festival of Britain style which flourished in the 1950s and is submitting an application to have the building listed.

On the wall of the building is the oldest piece of public sculpture in the new town, a wire and aluminium relief by the sculptor A. J. Poole titled "Man Aspires” installed in 1957.

The council is planning to relocate this the side of the contemporary building "with no concern for its historic context", C20 has argued, which it claims would "belittle and minimise the impact of this important piece".

Clare added: “The council does not seem to have adequately taken into account the significance of the architecture of the site. Total demolition of a large number of buildings in this potential conservation area will undoubtedly alter the character of the area and damage its significance irretrievably.”

Councillor Anthony Hedley, chairman of the regeneration committee, said: “Exciting proposals to transform East Square with a ten-screen cinema operated by Empire Cinemas and six new restaurants were granted conditional permission in July. The planning committee report set out the individual and cumulative heritage impacts of this scheme, balanced with the other material considerations that the local planning authority is obliged to consider, and this was discussed at length by members.

“In granting approval, the committee determined that the economic and wider social benefits to the town centre and borough were a significant factor.

“It is important to note that Historic England issued a letter of non-intervention indicating that they were satisfied with the council determining the application on its merits. This vibrant development will bring more life into the town centre while boosting the economy and providing new jobs for people.

“The scheme has received support from the community, landowners and retailers who consider It to be important for the longer term sustainability of the town centre.

“It’s important that we provide investment to promote mixed use of the town centre and create a much-needed night-time economy. We have worked closely with architects to ensure the project taps into the cultural heritage of Basildon. There are no alternative sites in the town centre which are under the council’s ownership.”