A LANDMARK ruin which was left to fall into a state of disrepair could be turned into flats after being sold at auction for £356,000.

Dawson Developments Limited, based in Blackmore, bought Elizabeth Cottage, at the junction of the High Street and Norsey Road, Billericay, in February.

At the time, the company refused to reveal its plans for the dilapidate building, which was damager after its roof was ripped off without planning permission.

Bosses have now submitted a planning application asking for permission to extend the building and convert it into seven apartments. They are proposing one one-bedroom apartment and six two-bedroom apartments.

Planning documents prepared by Billericay-based agents Essex Architecture and Planning on behalf of the owners read: “Elizabeth Cottage has been a ‘thorn in the side’ to the council and an embarrassment to the residents of Billericay for well over a decade and, at last, through a recent purchase transaction there is the opportunity to restore the building to practical and economic use, eliminating the one ‘unfortunate scar’ on the town, much to the benefit of residents and visitors alike.

“After such a long period of neglect, which prompted Basildon Council to ‘step in’ to sheet the roof and secure the building a few years ago, it is hoped that the Local Authority will applaud this long-awaited plan to renovate the building to restore the property to an economic and sustainable future use.”

No parking will be provided with the apartments.

Billericay East councillor Alan Talboys said: “I don’t know what else they would do with it. It is an eyesore at the moment.

“At least this means the building will still be there which is a good thing.”