ABANDONED offices that have stood empty for more than a decade could be transformed into plush new apartments.

Laindon Holdings Limited have submitted plans to Basildon Council outlining its bid to replace the empty offices near the Laindon Community Centre with 18 flats.

The applicant also owns neighbouring apartments at 1-5 Dunton road, which were granted permission to be overhauled in 2019 and have since been completed.

According to a planning statement, the site has been vacant since 2010.

A section said: “The application site occupies a highly accessible location and is within easy walking of the services and facilities at Laindon town centre.  “Bus services are available along High Road and the railway station is a short distance to the south.”

The development would consist of nine one-bed and nine two-bed apartments, the statement continues.

It also notes Laindon town centre will be subject to “considerable change” as a result of its regeneration.

The applicant owns an “extensive” area of land to the south which will benefit from coming mixed-use developments, including plans for new offices, flats and a petrol filling station. 

This particular site is a cluster of buildings around a central parking courtyard off Aston Road, the statement continues.

Sixteen parking spaces will be retained and available for use by the future residents of the apartments.

Previously, the units at the site were designated for commercial, business and service uses.

Laindon Holdings Limited is seeking a change of use under Permitted Development Rights, according to the notification.

This means it would be able to carry out certain building works for the apartments, such as changing the usage rights for the buildings, without planning permission.

The similar development at 1-4 Dunton Road was also constructed under Permitted Development Rights.

The offices themselves were first constructed under the approval of the Basildon Development Corporation and were last occupied by St Georges Community Housing Limited, the statement continues.

The plans were submitted at the end of last month and validated on January 31.