PLANS to spend £1million in Pitsea are taking shape.

Community group, the Heart of Pitsea, have been organising how to spend the Big Lottery Fund cash over the next ten years.

They have set up a 12-member residents’ panel and are compiling a shopping list of schemes to spend on. It could include rejuvenating the Elm Green area, bringing back anti-crime classes for youngsters and providing art classes and aerobics for the elderly.

A community event on August 31 will be an opportunity for residents to put their ideas forward for other ways to spend the cash, and for the public to see project plans for the future.

Essex Youth Bus, St John’s Ambulance, and community groups including knitting group Knit and Bitch will be at the event, which is expected to be near Chalvedon Community Centre in a field behind Basildon Academy.

Tracey Griffith, who is a member of the residents’ panel, said: “We want to highlight that the project is all going ahead and we need volunteers to come on board and help deliver projects we want to do.

“If anyone has any ideas of what they would like to see going on they should come down. It is a fun afternoon for the community and also a chance to see if there is anything we are missing. It’s local money and that’s why we want people to have a say.”

The £1million cash pot will be released over a ten year period for schemes within the boundaries of Ashlyns, Rectory Road, Pitsea Road and High Road. Definite projects have not yet been decided, but once earmarked, the group can apply for funding from the £1million pot. They also want to leave a legacy for years to come.

The event will take place between 1pm and 5pm with the location yet to be finalised.