Old Southend Empire Theatre set to be transformed into flats

Southend Council planning officials have recommended conditional approval of the scheme to build new flats on the old theatre, later the ABC cinema, which has been partially demolished.

The plans have been scaled back from 27 self-contained flats to 22 and the overall development has been reduced from six storeys to five fronting Alexandra Street and from five storeys to four fronting Clarence Street.

No car parking would be provided but there would be 28 cycle parking spaces for residents and four cycle parking spaces for the proposed shops.

Daniel Nelson, Conservative Southend councillor responsible for economic growth and investment, welcomed the plans.

He said: “It is great news that plans have been put forward to revitalise the old Empire cinema.

“What we don’t want in Southend is derelict buildings and sites, so I wish them the best in the rest of the planning process.

“I am sure that the committee will be looking at this with our policies in mind and the best for Southend in mind too.”

Alongside the flats there would be balconies and terraces, a communal gym and a shared garden.

The site has been a magnet for vandals and antisocial behaviour until it was demolished and boarded up.

The report revealed two objections to the proposals.

The planning officers’ report noted objectors pointing to an “overbearing form of development - scale, mass and detailed design out of keeping with character of the area”.

Parking concerns and “loss of light” were also concerns.

The Milton Conservation Society also outlined its concerns about the “mass and scale” of the building among other issues, including no parking and the design.

If the proposal is agreed by Southend Council’s development control committee next Wednesday, the developer would hand a financial contribution of £31,083.33 to Cecil Jones Academy, and £12,7000 requested for benefits of NHS patients.