This week the sun is shining brightly on the Craylands estate, in Basildon, as residents, developers and councillors make a toast to the area’s future.

Swan New Homes has unveiled the first few houses in its vision to transform the area, which will be shown off to potential owners as work continues on a £247million regeneration plan.

Both Swan and Basildon Council are hoping the new look will overturn a stigma still attached to the Craylands estate including a renaming to Beachwood Village. Building work on the homes began in December last year, with eventual plans to build 1,650 new homes.

Council leader Tony Ball said:

We’ve had to make some difficult decisions over the past few years, this isn’t only physical regeneration, it’s also social regeneration. I’m really pleased to see the fruits of our labour. I lived in one of the maisonettes on Rochester Way, so I know the Craylands estate well.

About 350 homes are to be built at the site initially, with eventual plans to build 1,650 new homes.