THE first new homes on the Craylands estate in Basildon could be ready for people to move into by next week.

The estate, first built in the Sixties, has undergone a £250million regeneration which has seen new homes created and old ones knocked down.

The first phase of the project is now 80 per cent complete and utility companies are busy connecting the homes ready for people to move in.

However, some residents are concerned green spaces and parking areas are being built on, while others fear not enough new homes are being built to accommodate everyone living on the estate.

Ola Oke, site manager for Swan New Homes, which is in charge of the project, said: “It’s going brilliantly. We have just finished these units and people are starting to view them.

“It’s down to the council to place people, but it should be in the next week or the week after.”

Estate residents are pleased with the clean, modern homes, but some can only look on with envy as they will have to stay in their Sixties originals.

Allan Davies, Labour councillor for Fryerns, said: “I had a certain case with one person in which their house was going to be demolished and they took themselves off the housing waiting list, because of the different process by which they would be rehoused.

“Then they found out their home wasn’t going to be demolished and they weren’t going to be rehoused. They had to start all over again.”

Residents claim they are still worried about aspects of the project.

Pete Blackwell, of Southwark Path, said: “It looks like maisonettes are going to be demolished, but a lot of homes that were earmarked for demolition seem to be remaining.

“They are shoe-horning in more houses, taking away parking spaces and green spaces.”

Cassie Leveridge, 20, of Southwark Path, said: “The maisonettes do look quite horrible and when the new homes are built it will look nice and pretty again.

“We were told the path beside our house would become a bus lane and our house would be changed, so the front will be the back.

“We have been told one thing and then another thing happens.”

Pamela Vatchford, 73, also of Southwark Path, said: “I gave up my garage because it was costing me £10 a week.

“I don’t know what I’d do if I lost my car parking space as well.”