THE future of Southend’s landmark Nirvana flats development again appears in question.

The block of 45 luxury flats, in The Leas, Chalkwell, has stood empty since being finished in 2012.

There was hope of progress when Leigh businessman, David Lloyd, founder of the tennis and leisure chain, reportedly bought the development to add to his property portfolio.

A new sales push was due to start in April, but nothing happened.

Rob Kahl, of Leigh estate agent Scott and Stapleton, was on the marketing team for the flats when they were initially put forward, a decade ago.

He said: “There’s been little activity down there, you have to fear the worst. I’m hearing people are trying to call and not getting calls back, with no information about prices or availability – it doesn’t fill you with confidence.

“It reflects badly on the town that a landmark property has just sat there empty.”

Chalkwell Residents’ Association member Jane Hendry said the situation merely bore out concerns voiced by residents when they objected to the development a decade ago.

She added: “It’s a white elephant, and our concern is, now it’s built, it should be lived in and made use of.

“It’s frustrating something has been built against the wishes of most people around it, only for it to just sit there empty.”

In January, it was announced David Lloyd had bought the site, on which flats were then said to range in price from £550,000 to £2.3million.

It was announced it would become part of the David Lloyd Signature Homes portfolio of luxury properties around the world.

David Lloyd Estates was not available yesterday to comment on the current situation.