Basildon's Towngate Theatre is in line for a major redevelopment as part of a wider £1bn project to regenerate the town centre over the next 20 years.

Plans to overhaul the venue forms part of Barratt/Wilson Bowden's (BWB) vision for the Essex town, which is set to be put to Basildon Council's cabinet and full council for approval. BWB aims to increase the seating capacity of the theatre from 546 to 1,200 to enable existing backstage areas to be reused and the auditorium and foyer to be rebuilt.

The new foyer could also be used to include arts facilities, such as a gallery, cafés and restaurants, while also being considered as a potential location for a library. Basildon Council's cabinet and full council is being recommended to approve the appointment of BWB as its development partner for the town centre regeneration scheme.

Kevin Blake, cabinet member for leisure and the arts, said: "If the theatre is extended it would enable a greater range of theatrical productions, including West End tours and concerts, as well as the current type of productions. "However, we need to demonstrate that this proposal is viable. Business plans will be produced which will set out the concept, the demand for the type of productions we would like to see in Basildon and how the improvements will be funded."