Basildon Yellow Advertiser newspaper launched. Initially based in Northgate House, High Pavement, Basildon Town Centre, the advertiser is delivered free to over 50,000 homes in a distribution network that includes Billericay & Wickford. The advertiser group later relocated to Acorn House in Great Oaks, Basildon until 2019 when a further move took it to Cornwallis House in Howard Chase, Pipps Hill. It combines advertisements with local news stories, over 100+ pages and can also be accessed on-line at their own internet website. The paper was once owned by publishers Trinity Mirror (Southern) who in August 2007 sold it to independent family-owned Tindle Newspapers Ltd. Following the acquisition the front banner was revised to include its creation year and it continues to offer an additional advertising wraparound begun earlier in the decade.

A new housing development on behalf of Guinness Trust is completed at Claremont Road and Nichol Road, Laindon. This estate was built on land designated as Laindon House Area 6B by Basildon Development Corporation. In preparation some land was acquired by B.D.Corp. through a compulsory purchase order issued in March 1973 in respect of land forming the original course of Claremont Road and Tavistock Road, both of which had originally formed a junction with St. Nicholas Lane. Tavistock Road was realigned to a new junction with Basildon Drive. The estate, which features a combination of houses and flats, was finished in a distinctive light grey brickwork. The 48 one bedroomed flats were built as warden controlled retirement housing and later managed by the Guinness Partnership. Basildon Council are responsible for letting the properties under a scheme called Nichol Claremont. Most of the estate is located in Claremont Road where the majority of the properties are grouped together using the names Cedar Court, Cherry Tree Court, Holly Court, Maple Court and Willow Court. The remainder of the estate, comprising 8 properties, is in Nichol Road. A round plaque with the words The Guinness Trust 1976 can be seen on the outer wall of the flats facing St. Nicholas Lane.

Tenants begin moving into properties on phase 2 of the Langdon Hills housing development at Valence Way. The new homes for rent estate of 2, 3, and 4 bedroomed houses and flats, was built by Basildon Development Corporation. Work on the construction began around 1974 on land cleared of all residential homes and shops comprising the former Milton Avenue, Nightingale Avenue, Victoria Avenue and the eastern side of High Road. The properties were designed by Basildon Development Corporation's own Department of Architecture and Planning headed by Douglas Galloway and constructed by J.W. Coward Ltd. with assistance in the timberwork from The Potton Timber Engineering Co. Ltd. The terraced properties, many of which incorporate timber framed cladding, comprise Debden Green, Breams Field, Manning Grove, Albyns, Lippetts Hill, The Hyde, Whitcroft and Rye Mead and all connected to the (then) Rediffusion piped tv service. Vehicular access to the properties is via Delmores and Valence Way. Heating and domestic hot water is provided by a district oil fired heating system located in a boiler house off Valence Way which connects to the homes through a series of underground ducts.

27th January

The Arts Centre in Towngate, Basildon re-opens as the Towngate Theatre. First opened in September 1968 the council run facility was given a make over including new seating and outdoor sign. The first evening's entertainment in the re-opened theatre was entitled The World of Giselle featuring the Royal Ballet company Ballet for All who performed excerpts from Giselle and Les Sylphides. Admission prices: Adults 75p; Children 45p.

6th April

Sainsbury's supermarket in Rectory Park Drive, Pitsea opened. The new store, opened in a purpose built building, has 24,541 sq ft of sales area and was a key part of a new Pitsea Centre regeneration project currently being undertaken by the development corporation. Sainsbury's chairman, John Sainsbury (later Sir) attended the opening. In 1992 another store opened at Cricketers Way, Nevendon on the former Carreras sports field in Nevendon Road. The Pitsea store eventually closed on 1st May, 1999 citing competition from nearby Tesco's and Lidl. The building remained vacant until 2000 when it was divided into two units, one of which was then occupied by German supermarket chain Aldi who opened a new store there in July. The building was later demolished as part of the second Pitsea regeneration project.

26th April

Southernhay one-way road system comes into effect. Traffic travelling in a westward direction along Southernhay is now diverted into Clay Hill Road to join Cherrydown East into Station Way to rejoin Southernhay at its approach to Roundacre roundabout. Right turns into Fodderwick were also prohibited causing the removal of the bus stop which was resited in Southernhay. A bus only lane was introduced in Southernhay from 03/05/1976 in a westerly direction from the junction with Clay Hill Road to Station Way. The system is still in use today.

12th June

Ilford Limited official open day held for a new office block headquarters at Christopher Martin Road, Basildon. The headquarters block, located on the No. 1 Industrial Estate at Nevendon, is the second aspect of the company to locate to Basildon - joining their colour processing plant, built on an adjacent site in Paycocke Road back in 1957. It was constructed from April 1974 on a 78,803 square feet site on previously undeveloped land.

September

The A13 Pitsea to Sadlers Farm diversion completed. The new road is the continuation of the A13 Vange and Pitsea bypass which when opened in 1973 was joined to London Road 100 metres or so north of the Rectory Road junction. In 2012 the bypass was increased to 4 lanes in both directions.

9th October

Pitsea Swimming pool in Rectory Park Drive opens. Situated opposite the Leisure Centre, the Basildon Council run facility was built at a cost of £272,000 sharing its basic design and size, 25 x 12½m and maximum depth of 6 feet (1.8m), with that of Wickford's public swimming pool, opened in 1975. Olly Flynn, from Pitsea, who represented Great Britain in the men's 20 kilometres walk at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada, officially opened the pool. Cost of a swim is 30p adults and 10p children during peak times and 25p adults and 8p children off-peak. J. H. Hodgson Ltd. of Arterial Road, Rayleigh, who also built the Wickford pool, were the main contractors. On 04/11/2012 Basildon Council closed the facility as the land formed part of a £30 million Pitsea regeneration scheme.

November

The Triangle neighbourhood shopping centre in Langdon Hills opened. The new centre, situated between the High Road and Berry Lane, comprised five units, public toilets and a car park. A community centre was also built adjacent to the complex following the realignment of High Road. Three of the first traders to occupy units were Paul Lucy, greengrocer & florist, Martin's newsagents & post office and the Golden Gate Super Kitchen take away. A supermarket was also provided which later offered a video hire service. The toilet block was demolished sometime in the 1990s. In January 2013 a fire completely destroyed the centre which was then rebuilt to a new design with shops and upper floor flats.

15th November

New Towns (Amendment) Act 1976 receives Royal Assent. The Amendment Act made law requirements for the eventual transfer of the respective towns Development Corporation's remaining housing stock to chosen local housing authorities.