A STORAGE unit behind a town centre bar undergoing a £1million transformation is set to be converted into five homes.

The Stockvale Group - which owns seafront attraction Adventure Island - snapped up the Clarence Yard, in Clarence Street, Southend, nine months.

The Echo revealed earlier this month work to refurbish the Victorian building is currently underway.

The company has now notified Southend Council of its intentions to convert the storage unit behind the bar into five two-bedroom homes.

Under the government’s permitted development regime, the plans are covered by prior approval - meaning developers are not required to submit a detailed application at this stage.

Steven Kearney, of Westcliff-based SK Architects, which is representing Stockvale, said: “The building, which is situated behind the bar, was previously a storage unit for Woolworths and then Clarence Yard and the Mews.

“We are now going to convert them into five two-bedroom houses and work is underway to restore the brickwork. They will be stunning buildings when it’s completed.”

The initial floor plans show that the intention is to build five self-contained terraced houses across two floors within the existing building.

The houses will have two bedrooms on the first floor, with open space living on the ground floor.

As it is a change of use application with prior approval, Mr Kearney said the Stockvale Group are not required to share information about details such as whether there will be provision for parking.

Jonathan Garston, Tory councillor for the Milton ward, told the Echo these details will be key to any decision made by the council at a later stage.

He said: “We always welcome investment and development in the town centre.

“The development control team will look at several key issues if and when this application comes before the committee.

“The main issues in the town centre include parking and noise reduction so these are the kind of details we will be looking for the application to address in the planning stage.”

As part of the bar revamp, extensive areas of brickwork have been cleaned and traditional hydraulic lime mortar is being used to fix the facade. The roof is also being overhauled.

Owner Philip Miller previously told the Echo about plans to serve good quality, affordable food.