A FORMER police station could be turned into a three-storey block of flats.

An application has been submitted to Castle Point Council to demolish the old Benfleet Police Station, High Road, and replace it with 13 flats.

It was announced that the station would shut amidst a host of closures in 2012, much to the disgust of residents who feared the closure would lead to a rise in crime in the area.

The building has remained unused since it closed.

The proposal would see the building demolished and a new state-of-the-art block of flats built in its place.

Castle Point Councillor for the Appleton Ward, in Benfleet, Tom Skipp, said: “Obviously you and I know it will never go back to being a police station as many residents would be largely in favour of.

“That decision to close it down was made a long time ago.

“I haven’t seen the full plans, but across Castle Point - and particularly in that area of Benfleet - we do have a need for housing.

“This is an opportunity to provide a number of flats for residents in the area.

“The site has been out of use for a long time now, and no-one particularly wants to see buildings left empty.

“So yes, I would be pleased to see an out-of-use building brought into use to provide homes.”

There are now fears that other police stations closed at the same time could also become flats, including the one in Wickford which has been put on the market.

The flats would consists of two two-bedroom, and two one-bedroom flats on the ground floor, five two-bedroom flats, and one one-bedroom on the first floor.

The second floor would comprise of two two-bedroom flats, with large roof terraces, and one one-bedroom flat.

Essex Police announced the plans to sell the stations, including the one in Benfleet, as part of the force’s need to save £41 million.