A NEW application to turn a former college into 92 homes has been submitted.

The fresh plan comes from Weston Homes.

The company wants to redevelop the old Prospects College site near Roots Hall.

The 92 homes on Fairfax Drive would be divided into three blocks of flats.

The aim is to have 41 one-bed, 47 two-bed and four three-bed flats with parking for 92 vehicles, or one per flat.

The developer has offered for 28 of the properties to be classed as “affordable homes”.

In April the application was discussed by Southend Council’s development control committee and councillors agreed to approve it in principle.

However, by the time it reached the committee the developer had lodged an appeal with the planning inspector against the council as they felt that it had taken so long to review the application and make a final decision.

Despite the problems and delays councillors overwhelmingly praised its design.

The new application is almost exactly the same as that initial application except for some minor amendments to the ground floor and basement level design.

A planning statement submitted with the application, states: “The proposal will boost the supply of housing to deliver a wide choice of high quality homes, which meets the needs for market housing in the housing market area and assist with maintaining the delivery of a five-year supply of housing.

“The site is well located within the urban area and is in a highly sustainable location with frequent and extensive accessibility to public transport.”

The housing complex is the first phase in a planned redevelopment of the area which could encompass the adjoining Roots Hall site and St Mary’s Court.

Southend United FC is looking to move to Fossetts Farm freeing up the area around Roots Hall for new developments, infrastructure and facilities.

The 92 new homes, if approved, would help to regenerate the area and could be followed by many more.

A decision will be made by Southend Council in the coming weeks.