An empty office block on the Eastways Industrial Estate could be turned into 28 flats.

Developer Swanvale Management has applied for a change of use from offices to residential for the former Wimpey Building in Crittall Road, Witham.

It hopes to turn the former office building, which has stood empty for months, into sixteen two bed and 12 one bed flats.

A prior approval application was refused by Braintree Council in July this year as the authority requested more information about the possible contamination from nearby gas works.

A new study by Stansted Environmental Services Ltd, however, found that the site is suitable for residential use and that contaminated land should not stop further development.