A FRESH bid has been made to turn a derelict office block which has stood empty for nearly 30 years into flats.

Redrock Development Group Ltd has asked for prior approval to convert the former Prudential building in Elmer Approach, Southend into 119 self-contained flats.

The ten-storey building has stood empty since 1989, when the insurance company pulled out.

In the plans, submitted to Southend Council, the developers want to bring 14 studio, 70 one-bed and 35 two-bed flats across seven floors of the building, with 17 flats per floor.

Redrock have also stated that the new studio flats could work as student accommodation for those studying at Essex University’s Southend campus.

The one and two-bed flats would be advertised as ideal for families.

The application states: “The property has been vacant since 1989.

“It is our intention to bring back a disused building into use and restate its position within the town centre location.

“The suggested mixed-use development will have an overall improvement on the current state of the otherwise neglected existing building as it will provide better internal spaces for a well-needed residential use in the area.”

The site has a considerable planning history with many flat developments given the go-ahead, but nothing has then been built.

A previous application to turn the building into a 119 bedroom hotel with restaurant and bar was granted conditional permission.

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

The next owners, Faircare Asset Management, sold the building for a much-lower price of £1.75million in 2015 after no progress was made.

The application concluded: “As part of the development, the overall proposal will also add an aesthetic flair to the appearance of the property without having a detrimental impact on the neighbouring context.”

A decision will be made with the coming weeks by Southend Council.