Basildon was originally designated as a 'New Town' following the New Towns Act of 1946. This was officially confirmed in 1949, and a Government appointed Basildon Development Corporation was formed and given the task of transforming the designated area into a modern town. The pre-existing towns of Laindon, Pitsea and Vange, together with Lee Chapel and parts of Dunton, Langdon Hills and Nevendon were all absorbed into the new development. Up to this point Basildon had been little more than a small village with a population in 1931 of just 1,159.

Basildon was created primarily as an 'overspill' town to relieve the overpopulated areas of East London, and also to provide essential services and modern accommodation for a scattered local population, of which many were living in properties below the Housing Act standard.

By 1951 the first new tenants moved into newly completed homes in Redgrave Road, Vange.

Basildon is no longer referred to as a 'new town' and will celebrate 60 years in 2009.