A DERELICT office block on a main route into Southend looks set to be transformed into an 84-bedroom hotel and penthouse flats.
Planning officers are set to recommended Southend Council approves plans to turn Victoria House, in Victoria Avenue, which has been empty for at least five years, into a new hotel during a meeting on Wednesday.
Developer Runwood Homes got the green light to change the former business premises into a supermarket, with 36 new apartments above it last November, but building has yet to start.
John Lamb, Southend deputy council leader, hopes this latest plan will kickstart development along the road.
Mr Lamb, a Conservative, said: “Hopefully the plans will be acceptable.
“They have got to be looked at and scrutinised, but this shows there is a will to start to invest into this area, especially Victoria Avenue, and that will have an impact, bringing new businesses into the town."