A NEW housing estate in Basildon appears to be bucking the trend with scores of buyers set to move in.

Thirty-seven homes at the Acacia Park development, off Broadmayne in Gloucester Park, have already been snapped up.

A further 60 per cent of homes are also accounted for in phase two of the development, while building of phase three begins this month.

Eventually Acacia Park will have 144 homes.

Malcolm Buckley , Basildon councillor responsible for regeneration, said the interest in the estate meant the town didn’t have to always do “cheap and cheerful” when it came to property.

Mr Buckley, who was himself an estate agent for many years, said: “I think this goes to shows that developers have got it spot on here.

“They’ve created the right product for the right price – homes people can afford and homes that people actually want. They have built family homes at affordable prices near amenities.”

Sales Director for Barratt Eastern Counties, Jason Colmer, said young couples and families had been among those flocking to buy a home at Acacia Park.

He added: “The numbers of visitors coming through the door remains high, showing that despite any uncertainty about the property market, there are plenty of people still looking to buy a new home in Basildon.”