A DEVELOPMENT site above an iconic former department store, which could deliver almost 100 homes, is set to go on the market.

Planning permission was granted in 2011 for extensions to the Keddies building and Maitland House in Chichester Road, Southend, to create new homes.

An 11-storey extension on a current four-storey building, and a two storey extension on top of an existing 11-storey building, would have delivered 98 flats. However, work never began beyond a canopy over the ground floor entrance.

Now, owners Broadway Estates want to sell the site, amid rising costs and difficult construction conditions.

The company has also asked for changes to be made to Section 106 agreements - sums of money to be made towards surrounding infrastructure which were agreed under the original approved plans.

A bus infrastructure levy of more than £30,000 was agreed by the developer, along with a £27,000 education contribution. Both became payable as soon as the canopy was constructed but are still outstanding.

The company did pay a Warrior Square contribution of almost £40,000 in 2018.

Broadway Estates is now seeking to alter the agreement so that the outstanding money is only payable when the first occupants move in to the new homes.

A report to Southend’s development control committee said: “Broadway Estates have continually resisted paying these contributions, arguing that the impact on infrastructure has yet to be incurred as the residential development has yet to proceed beyond the initial implementation stage.

“Notwithstanding this, Broadway Estates are legally bound by the terms of the Section 106, and the commencement of the development triggered the contributions.”

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Martin Terry, deputy leader of the council, welcomed movement on the plans.

He said: “We need those additional homes particularly in the town centre areas because we are under enormous pressure to build more homes so I welcome that. It does show confidence in Southend itself that developers want to come here and build new homes.”

The development control committee, which will meet on Wednesday, is recommended to delegate approval of the modified Section 106 agreement to officers.

The once-bustling Keddies department store closed its doors in 1996.