A planning inspector has given her backing to Makower Architects’ plans for 495 new homes in Basildon town centre, the first 265 of which will be be in towers of 23 and 18 storeys.

The consent, delivered by inspector Roisin Barrett, covers a site at Town Square that was formerly occupied by a branch of Marks & Spencer. It also covers outline proposals for a further 230 homes on a second Town Square plot, subject to detailed approval.

Makower’s indicative proposals for the second phase would deliver four more blocks, the highest of which would be 19 storeys.

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