A THREE-storey block of flats could be built in a prime spot on Southend seafront opposite Sealife Adventure.

Major proposals have been submitted to Southend Council to demolish a vacant business on Eastern Esplanade, next to Southend Ink and the Seafood Shack, and transform it into six new flats.

Proposed designs of the flats have been included in the plans which show modern homes on the first and second floor including balconies and a shop on the ground floor.

Matt Dent, Labour councillor for Southend’s Kursaal ward, admitted homes are not unusual on the seafront but could be considering “imposing”.

He said: “I will be interested to look at the plans in more detail, but a three-storey building does seem quite imposing and out of keeping with the rest of that bit of the seafront.

“However, I am interested to see the proposal coming forward. At the moment, I believe the building is vacant.

“So, I would be in favour of getting it back into use.

“There are plenty of residentials along that stretch of the seafront, and as a city we do also have a housing crisis and need more properties.

“However, the question is always whether they are the right properties, in the right place.

“In principle, I don’t see a problem, but a building that size could be imposing and out of character with the rest of it.”

The building is currently vacant and the plans state the development would create a “fresh and update look”.

All six flats would be two-bedroom homes, according to the plans.

They also include six off-street parking spaces.

The plans state: “The design of the building is contemporary, featuring clean lines, large windows, and a mix of materials.

“This could introduce a fresh, updated look to the area, potentially elevating the overall aesthetic appeal of the street scene.”

The proposal retains a shop to the ground floor, which is currently vacant, and is believed to have been vacant for a number of years.

Details of the shop included in the plans are yet to be revealed.