PLANS for a block of 24 new homes and a range of shops at the site of a former cinema have been approved by the council.

The land in Alexandra Street, Southend, was once home to the Empire Cinema, which was demolished last May.

Developer Sky Eagle Properties Limited originally applied for planning permission in August 2017, but these plans were scrapped before being resubmitted in March 2018. The plans were approved at a meeting of Southend Council’s development control committee yesterday.

Councillors agreed it was a good use for the derelict site although concerns were raised about parking.

Councillors also discussed whether a public walkway running alongside could be reopened with lighting.

This is now expected to take place. The site is up for sale for £2.5m and has been listed on property website, Rightmove. Built in 1896, the building had become rundown and in 2015, its roof collapsed, destroying part of the first floor. It was used by the New Empire Theatre Company in 2008, but the company then left. In 2013 it was suggested it would cost more than £2m to revamp.