MORE than £300,000 will be spent on improving the street scene surrounding Laindon’s new High Street.

When the town centre revival committee meet next week, members will be asked to approve appointing consultants to prepare proposals for “public realm” improvements as the regeneration of Laindon pushes on.

Around £333,000 is available to make the changes - with £25,000 earmarked for the reinstatement of name plaques on the war memorial.

The work is essential to the £50 million regeneration of Laindon - which officially began in October last year when demolition began on the Laindon Shopping Centre.

The new plans, in partnership with Swan Housing, will see a health centre, 86 houses, 138 flats and a shopping parade brought to the area.

Jeff Henry, a Laindon Park councillor and member of the town centre revival committee, said: “I think the work we have been doing with Swan Housing is to help the community feeling return to Laindon and restore a sense of pride.

“Laindon has been dilapidation for two decades, but the work of the town centre revival committee is providing a real opportunity for change.”

Work will focus on the High Road, aiming to develop the landscape so is “a cohesive part” of the new High Street.

While the focus will be street scene, shared spaces and bringing the area up to scratch.

Mr Henry added: “Laindon has lost its sense of identity over the years. When you look at other areas, Wickford, Pitsea, Basildon town centre, there is a real sense of identity, and that is what we want to create in Laindon as well.”

The agenda reads: “The remainder of the budget is proposed to be allocated to public realm improvements on the western side of High Road Laindon, with the objective of opening up the landscaping on the road across from the development to make it a cohesive part of the new High Street and other street scene and green space improvements.

“Authority is sought to appoint necessary technical support to develop proposals for implementation.”