PLANS for a huge block of 557 flats in the centre of Southend look set to get the green light despite major concerns over a shortage of parking spaces.

Alexander House, the former HMRC Office block at the junction of Victoria Avenue, Queensway and Baxter Avenue, could be transformed into flats by developer Comer Homes - but just 299 parking spaces would be included.

The developer has attempted to justify the shortage of parking by highlighting the city centre location and promising to create homes “ideal for home workers” with desk space in every flat.

Southend Reform Leader, Tony Cox, believes that the “general principle is sound” but fears the council would be going against its own principle of providing one parking space per home.

He said: “How do we know they will all work from home?

“In terms of location it is ideal but we have previously said no to plans because of a lack of parking.

“What they want is less cars on the road, which is not reality. Yes people want property but they will need a vehicle because bus provision is inadequate and not everyone will use trains or want to use them as they can be expensive.

“I just think you will find it will put people off or place future demands on the council parking provisions.”

Mr Cox added that he believes the plans should be “rethought.”

He said: “What is the point of a policy of adhering to one parking space per swelling if we can ignore it.

“The houses won’t sell without the right conditions, you don’t have a crystal ball for who will live in those flats but we have officer recommendations that are not compliant with the council policy.”

Speaking prior, Labour councillor Anne Jones, responsible for planning and housing, noted that the plans were a way of building needed housing in Southend and bringing an empty unused building back into use and that previous work on Victoria Avenue shows “city living” is popular.

Comer Homes has highlighted the 10-minute walk from Southend Central train station as a selling point of the plans as well as 569 cycles spaces.

The plans have been recommended for approval ahead of a meeting of Southend’s development control committee next Wednesday.