A FRUSTRATED developer is considering pulling out of a Southend seafront regeneration project after its plans were recommended for refusal by council planning officers.

Redab is proposing a multimillion pound redevelopment of the Esplanade pub, in Western Esplanade.

The developer wants to convert the pub into a restaurant, with 24 luxury apartments above.

But it will have to wait and see whether the council’s development control committee support officers’ recommendations at a meeting on Wednesday.

Redab managing director CJ Pettersson said: “We are still hoping we might resolve any outstanding issues prior to the meeting.

“But if our scheme is refused then we shall have to reconsider our options.

“It would certainly be a pity as a revitalised Esplanade will add so much to the economy of the town by creating jobs and investment, as well as around £100,000 a year in council tax and much more.”

The company says it is is dismayed its plans look set to be rejected, despite a similar scheme for a hotel on the site being approved in 2013.

Redab also claims the council’s assertion the developer has not contributed to affordable housing, in any way, is false. It says it offered the authority nearly £1.4 million in support.

Mr Pettersson added: “You can see by the comparisons that our building is no more intrusive – probably less so – than the hotel development already approved by the council.

“And as our scheme is well below the top level of the cliffs, it will not impair views – quite the reverse, as our building will have a green roof and winter garden, which should significantly improve the outlook from the top of the cliff.

“We are now wondering just what else we have to do. We have offered money for highway improvements, money to stabilise land owned by the council which they have a legal requirement to repair, money for landscaping – and on top of that we have offered additional funds for affordable housing, which seems to have been ignored.”

The fate of the development is due to be will be decided at the meeting in Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, at 2pm on Wednesday.