|
)
)
)
) |
| Five Links Housing Estate |
| Laindon |
)
Location: Brendon Photographer: Bix Year of photo: 15/10/2002 Copyright: Basildon History Online Comments: Empty maisonette in Brendon, later demolished in 2005. |
)
Location: Brendon Photographer: Bix Year of photo: 23/10/2002 Copyright: Basildon History Online Comments: Empty and occupied maisonettes in Brendon, later demolished in 2005. |
)
Location: Brendon Photographer: Bix Year of photo: 23/10/2002 Copyright: Basildon History Online Comments: Empty maisonettes in Brendon, later demolished in 2005. |
)
Location: Mellow Purgess Photographer: Stuart Wilson Year of photo: 27/08/2006 Copyright: Stuart Wilson Source: Stuart Wilson Comments: Mellow Purgess. |
)
Location: Handley Green Photographer: Stuart Wilson Year of photo: 27/08/2006 Copyright: Stuart Wilson Source: Stuart Wilson Comments: Handley Green. |
)
Location: Mellow Purgess Photographer: Stuart Wilson Year of photo: 27/08/2006 Copyright: Stuart Wilson Source: Stuart Wilson Comments: Courtyard at Mellow Purgess. |
)
Location: Newberry Side Photographer: Stuart Wilson Year of photo: 27/08/2006 Copyright: Stuart Wilson Source: Stuart Wilson Comments: Courtyard at Newberry Side. |
| Five Links Housing Estate |
|
|
The Five Links housing estate was originally constructed
during the late 1960s as part of Basildon Development Corporation's transformation of Basildon
into a new town. It was built on former residential land, and required in some cases, compulsory
purchase orders, before the site could be cleared and ready for work to begin. Tyler Avenue
and Albert Drive were the only exceptions, although Tyler Avenue was slightly shortened and
closed off at one end to create a car park, and lengthened at the other for vehicular access
to Laindon Link. The new dwellings were all given new street names, these being: Brendon,
Handley Green, Laindon Link, Mellow Purgess, Newberry Side and Somercotes. Laindon Link, though
created in the 1950s, had no residential properties before Five Links was constructed. None of
the original names were retained in the new development, at that time known as the Laindon 5
estate. The first tenants began moving into their new homes in Somercotes during May/June 1970, and it was finally completed in its original form in the early 1970s - the last houses finished being in Mellow Purgess. The construction group Bates were one of the contractors. Laindon Link had already been completed, having opened in 1958 as the main link road to Basildon, and for more than ten years had through traffic. During construction of the Five Links estate a new road, Hatterill, was constructed, and Laindon Link was closed off at a point close to Albert Drive to all traffic. It was then reopened as a bus only route, which it remains today. The majority of the houses were built in linked courtyards, and a large central green provided a safe playing area for children. At one end, a small adventure park was constructed featuring two large grassed over concrete tunnels, a small zip slide and a tree walk using a specially constructed bridge. Near the centre of the green amongst some trees was a pond with seating, though this was later concreted over, and much woodland was retained during the redevelopment. Shopping amenities were provided some years after the first tenants moved in. These being at Somercotes on a piece of ground that had become something of a wasteland. One of the first to move in to the new units was Jill's hair stylist in 1973. A warden controlled old persons complex was built on the remainder of the land and given the name Somercotes Court. Despite winning a design award, the estate, with its many alleyways and dark areas, came in for criticism and from the very start became known locally as 'Alcatraz'. In line with other estates built locally, all properties had a television channel box linked to a local cable network provided by Rediffusion. Electric underfloor heating was provided for most properties, whilst some flats had electric ceiling heating. These would prove expensive over time and more economical Gas fired central heating would later replace these systems. Properties in Laindon Link were later fitted with security doors to restrict unwanted access. In 1996, phase 1 of a regeneration programnme commenced which saw the demolition of flats, maisonettes and underground garages in Laindon Link and Brendon. A subway under Hatterill was no longer needed and this was filled in and landscaped. New housing with vehicular access replaced those properties in roads now known as Armada Close, Elizabeth Way, Raleigh Drive and Clifford Close. A new access road with parking facilities was also built through the centre of the main central green. Phase 2, begun in 2004, saw flats in Handley Green and Somercotes demolished and replaced with new housing. Hatterill was closed to through traffic during this time and Tyler Avenue was opened at the top end for access to Somercotes. At the same time, two more subways, one crossing Hatterill, the other under the Handley Green access road, were taken out. Basildon Council also implemented new names from August 2006 to replace Brendon, Handley Green and Somercotes, despite opposition from residents. These being: Beeston Courts, Bostocke Close, Crosse Courts, Gower Chase, Southwell Link and Turner Close. The Five Links name itself is also shortly to disappear when its renamed the Armada Estate. Text written 2003 with revisions 2003-2007. Copyright © 2003-2007, Basildon History Online. All rights reserved. |
|
Contact: E-Mail
Copyright |
|
