A DILAPIDATED Southend town centre tower block could be transformed into 72 flats.

The former Prudential tower block, in Elmer Approach, was previously earmarked as a new hotel, but investors have now applied for planning permission to turn the ninestorey block into flats.

The building had been up for sale for £7.2million, but without interest for a year, investors Faircare Asset Management have decided to sell the building, with the hoped-for planning permission, for a much-lower price of £1.75million.

The new flats would add to a continuing trend in Southend of old office blocks being converted into flats, due to more housing demand.

Graham Longley, Southend councillor responsible for culture, said: “I think we have to be happy it is being tidied up and restored as it is a bit of an eyesore, but I think people will be a bit disappointed it won’t be part of the tourist destination element of Southend.

“In some ways, it’s the market that makes the decision, but I’m disappointed they couldn’t market it as a hotel.

“But in a sense, it will liven up the area and I don’t have a preference for either idea.”

Previous owners, Squarestone, paid £12million for the block in 2007, and had planning permission for a 119-bed hotel two years later, but it failed to get off the ground.

Mike Gray, from estate agents Dedman Gray, who had been marketing the building, pointed out it would still have permission for a hotel when it is sold.

He said: “It is has been on and off for years, but, at last, a building which has been empty for almost 20 years is finally looking like it will be refurbished.

“It’s the last remaining scruffy-looking building in that university area.”

The nine-storey block, is above Mansion nightclub, which recently opened under newmanagement and it is thought the owners are part of a group interested in the block’s conversion.

On its planning application, it says it will beamixture of one and two-bed flats, and will contain 72 basement cycle spaces. There will be no car parking.

Essex University had considered turning it into student accommodation a few years ago, but opted instead to develop University Square, including the student building which resembles Lego blocks.

The university’s registrar Bryn Morris said: “We are waiting to see further details about these plans before making any formal response, but we are pleased to see proposals coming forward, which have the potential to continue the regeneration of this area and make the centre of Southend an even more attractive area to live, work and study.”

Prudential moved out of the tower blockmore than 15 years ago.

 

No affordable housing

Labourfear the new flat developments make no provision for affordable homes in the borough.

The last government introduced new planning laws in 2013 that made it easier to convert vacant former offices.

Some developers have argued the laws – which cut out a lot of planning red tape – were the reason they invested in the buildings, but the new directive gives no obligation for firms to include affordable homes in their plans.

Normally, developers are asked to contribute 30 per cent.

Major office conversions in Southend over the past two years will see 429 flats created in the borough, and this would mean developers would have had to stump up 128 affordable homes between them.

Labour’s Julian Ware-Lane said: “Clearly there’s a housing need in Southend and that includes affordable homes.

“I understand developers have to make a profit, but we’ve got a huge waiting list in Southend for social homes.

“It also means a loss of commercial space. I understand a lot of people in Southend work in London, but for others that isn’t convenient.”