WORK to restore one of Southend's oldest buildings will begin within weeks.

Grade II-listed 15 Royal Terrace will be transformed into seven flats, with a luxury penthouse, after Southend Council approved a planning application.

The rundown Georgian building, built in the 1790s, was put on English Heritage’s at risk register last year because it had fallen into such a poor state.

It was most recently used as a studio, but has been empty for around two years.

Paul Seager, director of APS Design Associates, which has designed the restoration, said: "Our application for the conversion and refurbishment of 15 Royal Terrace, which is part of one of the oldest terraces in Southend, was approved on Friday. The building ,which was used as studios for a number of years, fell into disrepair and the previous owners had not invested money into the building, however, our client subsequently purchased the building and instructed us to prepare a scheme for seven luxury apartments, which will have fantastic views across the estuary.

"We feel this is a great opportunity to restore the building back to, as near as possible, its original form. We anticipate commencement of works will be within the next six weeks."

Royal Terrace, including the Royal Hotel, which has recently reopened as a cocktail bar and upmarket restaurant, was built in the early 1790s when a rise in the fashion for seaside bathing attracted wealthy and the aristocratic visitors to Southend during the summer months.

In 1801, Princess Charlotte visited the town and was followed by her mother, Princess Caroline of Wales, in 1804. She stayed at numbers 7-9, lending the terrace its Royal epithet.

Numbers 3-15 and the Royal Hotel, originally numbers 1-2, have been protected as Grade II listed buildings since November 1951.

Some have been turned into flats and B&B,s while others remain as houses.

15 Royal Terrace once included the Terrace Cafe on the ground floor, with flats above.