BOSSES behind the transformation of an abandoned former restaurant into 13 luxury flats have insisted it will be fully demolished early next year.

The half-demolished Old Vienna, in Eastwood Road, Leigh, has become an eyesore, and councillors and traders in the area have repeatedly called for work to commence after pigeons were spotted nesting in the building. 

Echo: Restaurant - Old ViennaRestaurant - Old Vienna (Image: Unknown)

The firm behind the project – Forma London – have largely been silent since taking it over in April 2022, but now managing director James Robinson has told the Echo it will “100 per cent” continue next year and the building will be razed to the ground. 

Echo: Eye-sore - the half-demolished buildingEye-sore - the half-demolished building (Image: Stephen Aylen)

Forma London has planning permission to demolish the building and replace it with 13 “sustainable” flats.

Mr Robinson said: “There’s been a lot of talk with the council on how we can safely demolish the building, such as removing the pigeons safely.

“We’ve jumped over many hurdles within the last 12 months to get necessary permission to proceed with the scheme, such as producing surveys and adding more specifics to the design where it previously lacked information.

“We can assure residents the works will be carried out professionally when on site and are very determined to get the project complete next year.”

Although the specifics of the property’s design are yet to be finalised, Mr Robinson said it will be a “sustainable build, including underfloor heating and nice LED lighting”.

He hopes to submit planning documents to Southend Council within the next six weeks. 

In 2021, plans for the 13 flats at the Old Vienna were approved on the condition developers paid £224,000 towards affordable housing.

But the original developer told the council it can “no longer afford” to hand it over and this resulted in the plans being thrown up in the air.

The following year, Forma London took over the reins and was granted planning permission at appeal in February 2022.

The company then submitted an additional application surrounding the tree preservation orders, and the council gave this the green light in August.

Mr Robinson said: “It’s been a long-time coming and are waiting to hear back from the client.

“We hope to get it over the line in 2024.”