WORK on the Laindon Shopping Centre is set to start in the spring...as new “Laindon Place” branding was revealed.

The ambitious revamp of the badly rundown area looks to finally be coming to fruition - after more than a decade in the pipeline.

Work will see the centre in Laindon transformed with new shops, a health centre and high-quality new homes.

The branding has been developed following intense consultation work with developers, Swan Housing Association and Basildon Council.

Luke Riley, Swan’s projects director, was joined by councillors Stephen Hillier, Andrew Gordon, Allan Davies, Hazel Green and Frank Ferguson to unveil the new “Laindon Place” branding which has been displayed on the hoarding around the development site.

The council continues to fully support Swan whose bosses have vowed to transform the centre of town.

Andrew Gordon, vice chairman of Housing and Community, said: “The site visit to reveal the branding helped to reassure the community that Swan are serious about this redevelopment.

“I think it’s important that we as a council continue to support them because the residents of Laindon need this - and we’re confident that things are going to happen.”

Laindon Place was chosen as the brand to reflect the scheme’s central position - and Laindon’s heritage.

John Synnuck, Swan’s chief executive, said: “We’ve been working in Basildon for almost 25 years, so we recognise how the regeneration of Laindon Shopping Centre is key to Laindon’s success as a place to live, shop and work.

“That’s why we stepped in and bought the centre, so we could make this happen, after previous owners failed.

“Laindon Place will transform a dilapidated and unattractive inward-looking centre into a new high street including new shops, a health centre and even a new Swan Office, for our Billericay-based staff to relocate to. There will be stylish new homes too, all set in high-quality public space and when complete Laindon Place will be at the heart of a revitalised Laindon, benefitting existing and new residents”.

A spokesman confirmed work would start in spring. See more at laindonplace.co.uk