MORE than 60 flats could be built in a former office block in Basildon’s town centre.

Two separate applications have been submitted to Basildon Council in relation to Acorn House, in Great Oaks.

The first application is change the use of the office block to residential use creating 53 apartments. The second application is to build a fifth floor with a further nine flats inside.

The existing building is a four-storey office block, located behind the Eastgate shopping centre and next to Basildon police station.

It is only partially occupied by businesses at present.

The creation of an additional floor will allow a rooftop garden, with the flats intended to be “high-quality accommodation’.

The application has been submitted by Grainmarket Basildon LTD.

As things stand, no comments in support or objection have been submitted by residents.

The first application, received by Basildon Council on November 27, applies to change the use of the building from business use to accommodation use.

The second application calls for permission to construct a fifth floor to the building, consisting of a further nine flats and a rooftop garden as well as new and amended windows and new Juliet balconies.

The application states that, if it is approved, the facility would provide much needed residential accommodation in the town centre.

The design and access statement said: “The general approach can be described as minimising the external alterations required to provide suitable internal residential accommodation. The retention of the existing structure and external enclosure of the building.

“Internal distribution and layout of flats has been developed and accurately designed to achieve the best possible parameters in terms of space, quality and comfort. These are intended as high quality accommodation.”

Both applications are currently being scrutinised by planning officers, who will prepare recommendations on the site.

After recommendations are made, the plans will be discussed by the council’s planning committee.