Flats plan for landmark

From the archive, first published Sunday 15th Apr 2007.

A LANDMARK building in Southend could be demolished for a block of flats.

Harwand House, on the corner of North Road and London Road was the home of Baums, the town's leading furriers in the days when a fur coat was the fashion must have for both young and old.

The company closed its doors with the growing feeling against the use of real fur and the extensive showroom was converted into shops and offices.

Proposals by developers Sams would mean the demolition of the existing property and its replacement by a part three and part four-storey building with shops and parking at ground floor level and 22 self contained flats above.

In a report to Wednesday's development control committee meeting, environment director Andy Lewis said there was no objection to shops and flats on the site.

The developers had shown the existing offices on the upper floors were badly laid out and unsuitable for modern requirements, he added.

Mr Lewis recommended the proposal should be agreed subject to a number of conditions including revised plans to improve the design of the new modern building.

Two two-bedroom affordable housing flats will have to be provided, together with provision for public art and an education contribution of £13,573.

Because of the lack of public open space in the area, the developer will also have to pay £81,436 for improvements to this in the town and £10,000 towards road junction improvements.