BASILDON Council proudly welcomed Baroness Taylor, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and Lords Minister for Housing and Local Government, to the borough’s newest housing development, Chapelgate, alongside Council Leader Cllr Gavin Callaghan and representatives from Homes England, Sempra Homes, and The Hill Group.
The visit marked a significant milestone in Basildon’s regeneration journey, as the council delivers much-needed homes for local residents in time for Christmas.
Chapelgate represents a major step forward in Basildon’s commitment to tackling housing need. The development provides 105 new homes, including 70 council-rented properties for residents on the Home Seekers Register, many of whom are currently living in temporary accommodation, and 35 market-sale homes prioritised for borough residents under the Basildon First Charter. With a mix of modern apartments, townhouses, and semi-detached homes, Chapelgate offers high-quality housing designed to meet the needs of families, couples, and individuals starting out.
Situated in the heart of Basildon, the new community benefits from easy access to the town centre’s shops, restaurants, and leisure facilities, as well as excellent transport links. Beyond providing homes, the development has generated over £3 million of inward investment into local supply chains, businesses, and employment opportunities, including apprenticeships and placements for local labour. This project has transformed a derelict brownfield site—a former car park unused for more than a decade—into a vibrant residential neighbourhood, demonstrating Basildon’s ambition to regenerate underutilised land and create thriving communities.
The delivery of Chapelgate was made possible through a government grant exceeding £10 million, unlocking the potential of this site and supporting Basildon’s wider regeneration plans. Sustainability has been at the heart of the design, with a fabric-first approach, air source heat pumps, electric vehicle charging points, swift boxes, and an ecological corridor integrated into the scheme.
In addition to housing, Sempra Homes has committed £800,000 towards local infrastructure, including NHS healthcare provision, schools, open spaces, cultural and sports facilities, highways, and sustainable transport improvements—delivering benefits for the wider community. The development, known as Chapelgate, features Chapelgate Mews as the road name, with apartment blocks named St Dominic House and St Patrick House, reflecting the area’s heritage.
Cutting the ribbon signifying the completion of 105 new homes at Chapelgate in Basildon town centre, Baroness Sharon Taylor said:
“I am delighted to officiate at this handover to Basildon Council ownership of 70 council flats at Chapelgate and at the completion of 25 private homes for sale. Every new home helps solve our housing crisis.
“I was also here in April for the ‘topping out’ ceremony at Chapelgate and it is truly heartening to see such rapid progress. I congratulate all those concerned including Homes England who provided the funding, Basildon Council which is showing what a difference a dynamic council can achieve, and the Hill Group, a contractor building a high-quality product.
“I look forward with interest to seeing further schemes in Basildon.”
Cllr Gavin Callaghan, Leader of Basildon Council, said:
“Chapelgate is a promise kept, providing quality homes for Basildon people and reducing reliance on temporary accommodation.
“These homes will give families the stability they need, moving many out of temporary accommodation and into permanent housing. As we approach Christmas and the New Year, this is about more than bricks and mortar, it’s about hope, opportunity, and helping young people start their lives here in Basildon, among friends and family.”
