PLANS to turn a rundown former hotel into a dedicated centre to help the homeless have moved a step closer to reality.

The Homeless Action Resource Project, known as Harp, is hoping to transform the Darnley Hotel, in York Road, Southend, into a night shelter and training centre providing 24-hour help.

The centre, including 21 beds, living space, training rooms, and a dedicated medical centre, could be open by next summer.

Announced in February, plans for the £1.25million project have now been submitted to Southend Council.

Harp spokesman Stephen Colyer said: “We are on the last lap now for it all to become a reality.

“If we are able to get planning permission it will be full steam ahead, and we would hope we could be in there roughly by this time next year.”

Harp already helps about 2,000 people a year, and with the economic climate continuing to place people under financial pressure, the facility could help support many more in the future.

Mr Colyer added: “We won’t be doing anything major. It will mainly be cosmetic and ensuring things like disabled access.

“Internally, there is a lot of work to be done to bring it up to standard.”

If the plans get the go-ahead, the Darnley will replace the charity’s day centre in Valkyrie Road, Westcliff, which is in a poor state of repair and expensive to maintain, and the 14-bed night shelter in York Road.

Before it submitted the plans to the council, Harp carried out a four-week consultation about the Darnley project, to which it said it received only two negative e-mails.

Mr Colyer said: “We can only stay optimistic, having come through a very positive consultation period.”

Harp is preparing to exchange contracts on the building, with the deal dependent on planning permission being granted. The charity is working to raise the remaining £400,000 it needs from charitable donations.

Southend Council hopes to make a decision on the plans by July 28.