Basildon council shortlists firms for £150m projects

Basildon council has announced shortlists for local projects of a combined value of £150m.

The £120m regeneration of Wickford town centre in Essex is to be fought out between Barratt Homes, Bellway Homes, Community Solutions for Regeneration, and St Modwen Properties.

Community Solutions for Leisure, DC Leisure Management, and Orion Basildon have been shortlisted for a £30m sporting village project.

The winner will be announced in October, after invitations for tender will take place in June. The preferred contractor will be selected in December.

If the sports centre development will be finished by 2012, it could be used as a training camp for the Olympics. The facilities will include a 50m pool, an eight court sports hall and a health and fitness suite.

Councillor Stephen Horgan said: “This is a major milestone in taking forward the regeneration of Wickford town centre and the Basildon Sporting Village. We are delighted to have got to this stage in the process, and are excited at moving these major projects forward.”