A BURNED-OUT rat-infested eyesore that has been a magnet for squatters, druggies and flytippers should be back on the market as flats in the new year after a £250,000 revamp.

Workmen have already installed new double-glazed windows, security doors, floors and ceilings in a large derelict property in York Road, Southend, and the developer has submitted an application to turn it into six flats.

Neighbour Brian Cox, 73, who lives opposite the imposing corner property in Cromer Road, said: “It was an eyesore but now it has completely changed.

“The windows are in, they are painting it and they have put new roof tiles on.

“They are making a good job of it. I can’t wait to see it finished.”

The owner, who bought the imposing corner property for £235,000 in January, has had five members of his family working around the clock on the house since late September.

They have begun painting the dirty exterior white and also replaced a porch around the corner in Cromer Road but cannot fully fit out the interior until Southend Council gives the green light for it to be changed into self-contained flats.

The developer, who gave his name only as Dave, plans to sell each flat individually.

He said: “Once we have got planning permission we will have estate agents in.

“It’s a beautiful property. It will be quite a feature for the area.”

The house has been officially unoccupied since a fire in 2009, but squatters and trespassers have continued to get in despite security fencing and boards over openings.

At the time of the fire the council was trying to bring enforcement action against the previous owner under the Housing Act, but found he or she met an exemption to the act and the cost of repairs was ‘restrictive’.

The council was dealing with a number of concerns over the condition of the property when it was last occupied in 2008. The owner then chose to keep it unoccupied while carrying out the repairs.