A DISUSED hotel which has stood empty for more than three years while awaiting demolition may be converted into flats instead.

Father and son Julian and Daniel Nyman have bought the Balmoral Hotel site, in Valkyrie Road, Westcliff.

The building was due to be demolished to make way for a three-storey block of 25 flats after planning permission was given last July.

However, the Nymans recently bought the site and say they are unlikely to go ahead with the previous owner’s plans. They have put up hoarding around the building.

Julian Nyman, an accountant of Chadwick Road, Westcliff, said: “We have just bought it and are looking to convert the interior into flats, keeping the existing building rather than demolishing it.

“We will be bringing in architects to draw up plans and will work with Southend Council.”

Echo:

New future? Hoarding goes up outside the empty building

Mr Nyman, whose son runs Inconstruction Services, the firm behind the flats development the former Palace Cinema site, in Ness Road, Shoebury, said of his son: “He is a great builder.

“We got a pat on the back in Shoebury, so we hope to get another pat on the back for this.

“It has been an eyesore for quite a time so we will be looking at developing something beautiful.”

Former owners Sinclair Brown, of Maplin Way, Southend, and David Mead, of Pound Lane, Bowers Gifford, tried six times to get planning permission between 2011 and last year.

They originally tried to build an 85-bed nursing home and a block of 36 flats before the council accepted 25 flats on the site.

The hotel closed in July 2010 after a noise abatement order was served by Southend Council, preventing it from hosting the wedding receptions which had been an important source of income for the then owners.