Fresh calls have been made for a £1million buyer to snap up a former pub site on Clacton’s seafront - with a view to turning it into much-needed housing.

The site in Marine Parade East - which is currently on the market - already has planning permission for a new residential block of 14 flats, with space for a restaurant on the ground floor.

Just metres from Clacton Pier, the site on the corner of Colne Road has been on the market for almost a year, having been bought and sold between developers since plans for a new building were first submitted in 2011, according to planning documents.

The residential units would be a combination of one and two-bedroom flats, with some of the flats enjoying sea views.

Even though every property comes with a terrace or balcony, each floor has at least one larger flat with a bigger lounge and curved terrace looking over the coast.

The top floor contains the largest flats, complete with stairs leading to a private property mezzanine.

Plans also include underground parking for residents and workers at the restaurant.

Paul Honeywood, Pier ward councillor and portfolio holder for housing at Tendring District Council, said: "Obviously we are seeing an increase in tourism to Clacton, so if someone is looking for an opportunity to invest it would be good to see it developed.

"With events in recent years like the Women's Tour and Clacton Airshow coming to the area, more people are looking to visit here - so I think holiday letting is an option a developer should seriously be considering."

East Anglian Daily Times: Tendring councillor Paul Honeywood.Tendring councillor Paul Honeywood. (Image: Archant)

Originally opening in the 1930s as Cordy's Diner, the site was purchased by Greene King in 1998 and turned into the Lighthouse pub.

In 2005 the pub closed and initial steps to develop the building were taken, with owners removing the top floor.

It reopened at the Liquor Lounge nightclub in 2010, after which planning permission for the restaurant and flats was obtained.

The building on the site beforehand was demolished about two years ago.

East Anglian Daily Times: Cordy's on the Clacton seafront in the 1980s, before it was bought by Greene King and turned into the Lighthouse pub Picture: NORMAN JACOBS / CLACTON AND DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETYCordy's on the Clacton seafront in the 1980s, before it was bought by Greene King and turned into the Lighthouse pub Picture: NORMAN JACOBS / CLACTON AND DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY (Image: Archant)

Although permission for the building was granted more than five years ago, the plans are still valid as a previous owner began construction on the refuse storage area.

New planning permission for a different purpose could be sought by any future owner.