A £125MILLION flats plan could finally be moving forward after the scheme stalled when it was discovered the seafront cliffs were not stable.

Redab Properties wants to knock down the Esplanade pub, in Western Esplanade, Southend and replace it with a five-storey block of 23 luxury flats.

After multiple delays, Redab is optimistic that work could now start in the autumn.

Although they were given planning permission in March last year, they stalled when the council insisted there was no problem with the cliff.

Redab said a geo-technical survey showed a “sink circle” or sink hole beneath where the garages of the block would be sited.

They feared that if the spot sunk, 4,900 tonnes of earth would bear down on the building.

Structural engineers called for thicker walls to be built.

Now that the council have agreed there is an issue, Redab plans to pile and stabilise the land.

Colin Felton, spokesman for Redab, said that they were not very happy but hopeful they would soon be moving forward.

He said: “Redab is not very happy.

“When they put in the first planning application, Southend Council’s position was that there was no problem with the cliffs, but we said there is.

“They did agree eventually that there was a problem.

“We put in a plan to pile and stabilise this council land which was part of a programme of works that was supposed to be done in eight weeks, but it has taken 29 weeks for the council to finally agree everything.

“This has delayed the plans and Redab is so frustrated that work hasn’t started.

“At our best guess we think it will start in autumn this year.

“The company has been very clear that it doesn’t want to do anything that will disrupt seafront trade in the summer months.

“It’s been enormously frustrating as they want to get ahead with it.”

A council spokesman has said that complex projects can take time.

They said: “Many major developments require pre-commencement conditions to be submitted and met and this can often take some time to resolve.

“For this complex project, this has involved agreeing many details, including an application for a site investigation and structural survey to include mitigation measures to ensure the development does not affect the stability of the cliffs.”

The application was originally refused by Southend Council and the Swedish firm appealed.

However, in March an almost identical plan was given the go-ahead while the appeal was still being considered.

Redab said offering affordable housing was financially unviable, but offered £1.2million to shore up the cliffs behind the development.

The detailed plans also include a restaurant at the base of the two-bedroom flats and underground parking with 26 spaces as well.

As part of the approved application, they will hand over £40,000 to pay for public art and £14,000 to improve the nearby road.