PLANS to transform empty offices into 86 flats and add six floors on top of the building are set to be approved.

The former Eastgate Business Centre closed six years ago and the office space has remained vacant ever since in Southernhay, in the town centre.

Under the plans, the current five-storey building would have six floors added to it to accommodate one and two-bedroom flats.

The plans were initially lodged last August, and have now been recommended for approval ahead of a Basildon Council planning committee meeting this week.

The proposals, by Eastgate ACA Ltd, say: “The proposal will provide 86 new residential units in a highly accessible and sustainable location on an underutilised brownfield site in the town centre.

“The proposed development is a significant improvement on previous permissions for the site, providing better residential accommodation and a more integrated approach to he retention of the existing building, integrating the ground and first floor uses into the proposals.

“It will deliver 86 high-quality residential dwellings that will significantly contribute to housing provisions within the borough.”

Of the 86 flats, there will be 35 one-bed two person flats, 12 two bed three person flats, and 39 two bed four person flats.

The second, third and fourth floor levels of the existing building, which are currently accessed via Southernhay, were formerly known as Eastgate Business Centre and used for office accommodation.

The building is next to the Eastgate Shopping Centre and currently has shops on the ground floor and a 24-hour gym on the first floor.

Neither the ground of first floor will be impacted by the work - aside from disruption caused by building work - and are not owned by the developer.

The officers report, published ahead of the meeting, states: “Given the need to provide sufficient sites to meet the housing needs of the borough and the council’s lack of a five year housing land supply, the principle of the change of use of the existing vacant floorspace and the upward extension of the building to provide a flatted residential development is considered to be acceptable.”

Councillors on the planning committee will vote on the plans on Wednesday.