CHILDREN and young people are set to play their part in plans for an £8million youth zone in Basildon town centre.

Basildon Council wants to know what services and activities young people want in the town and is set to hold a consultation into the major plans.

Council officers have been given the go ahead to identify the best spot for the £8.2million centre, working with charity OnSide Youth Zone.

The charity says its 13 activity centres around the country allow young people, between the ages of eight and 25-yearsold, to boost their education, confidence, aspirations, and physical activity.

The council’s neighbourhoods and public spaces committee is set to agree a consultation for youngsters next week.

Committee chairman David Harrison said: “We could be asking youngsters what they want to see in the town and what we can do for them.

“We also want to know their views on connectivity and making it accessible for the young people across the whole borough.

“It’s very important that we get the views of young people - we’ve seen what OnSide does and it works in other places but it needs to work for Basildon too.”

Although he would not state exactly where the centre could be built, Mr Harrison added: “We are looking at a site close to the town centre and I really hope lots of young people take part in the consultation.

“We need to be working with schools on it too.”

The authority’s plans - which have the support of West Ham captain Mark Noble - state the costs for users would be just 50p per session for young people between eight and 19-yearsold and those up to 25-years-old with additional needs.

Plans state there would be more than 20 activities on offer and the centre would open weekday evenings, weekends, all day every school holiday