A HUGE block of flats in Southend city centre will be linked up to high-speed broadband and designed to support people working from home in a bid to mitigate a shortage of parking.

Former HMRC office block Alexander House, at the junction of Victoria Avenue, Queensway, and Baxter Avenue, could be transformed into 557 flats if plans are approved by Southend Council.

Concerns have been raised over a shortage of parking, with just 299 parking spaces proposed, but developer Comer Homes Group has submitted a "justification" document to defend the plans.

According to the document, every flat will be designed with additional desk space to benefit home workers and mitigate the lack of parking and “reduce the need for travel”, as well as benefitting from high-speed working.

Anne Jones, councillor responsible for planning and housing, said: “Delivering housing in Southend is of real importance and this project will contribute significantly.

“The matter will be debated by development control committee, not only because it is a major application, but because the parking element is not in line with policy.

“Councillors will assess if the mitigations are significant enough to warrant a deviation from policy.

“Bringing unused buildings back into use and the offer of high-quality housing is welcomed.

“The transformation of Victoria Avenue into housing, has shown that City Living is increasingly popular.

“The location, close to so many reliable transport links, to central London and airports is part of that demand.

“Changes in behaviour and work practices and the delivery economy, will be some of the things that will be considered by committee.”

As part of the document, Comer Homes has also highlighted the locations “excellent” transport links - including 13 bus services that operate locally with the nearest stops adjacent to the site.

It is also highlighted that Southend Central Train Station is under a ten-minute walk away.

The applicant has also included 569 cycle spaces, which state six are for customers to the commercial unit at the ground floor, and 557 are for residents.