A LUXURY block of seafront apartments that has stood empty since it was completed in 2012 could be bought up by a property investor, a residents’ meeting was told.

Lucy Courtenay, chairman of Chalkwell Residents’ Association, told her members property investors had expressed an interest in the imposing Nirvana flats in the Leas, Westcliff.

In February, David Lloyd Estates, the company behind the leisure centres empire, announced it wanted to buy the apartments block.

But Mrs Courtenay told the meeting, at Alleyn Court Preparatory School in Westcliff, said: “There’s a possibility Nirvana has been sold.

There was talk earlier in the year that it looked like David Lloyd was buying it but it looks like that’s not the case now.

“It’s potentially going to a property investor and their idea is to keep it as a luxury development but they would get rid of some of the cladding and probably take the colours away on the balconies.”

Mrs Courtenay told the meeting the company who contacted her wanted to put in a pool.

She added: “Our take on that would be it’s built now, they’re not going to knock it down, so it would be nice actually see it in used.

“Maybe we will see some movement on that one – they didn’t think they were going to do any substantial changes when I spoke to them.”

Speaking after the meeting, Mrs Courtenay added she had been contacted by the firm three weeks ago, but it did not appear the sale had gone through.

She said: “They were still going through due diligence and there were still a fewthings to sort out – it’s still owned by the original owners (Mukesh and Omash Aggarwal) I think.

“What he wanted from me was what residents thought of it.”

Julian Ware-Lane, Labour councillor representing Milton ward on Southend Council, welcomed the news.

He said: “We know there’s a housing issue in Southend, and although Nirvana was not built to solve the housing issue because it is top-of-themarket accommodation, we do not want to see places empty and the people whowill live there will contribute to the local economy.

“Having people there would make the place a bit more lived-in and vibrant and, for that reason, I’m pleased if it has been sold and people actually end up living there.”

David Lloyd Estates refused to comment.