A MULTI-MILLION pound housing development which residents fears has ground to a halt following a year-and-a-half of work appears to remain empty... nearly two months after workers were last seen.

Back in the middle of September, a source revealed to the Gazette how work had not taken place at the Riverside Office Centre development for at least a month.

Now, three weeks on and about two months since builders were reportedly last spotted at the site, new pictures appear to show the development remains deserted.

Gazette: Empty - work reportedly has not taken place on the site for weeksEmpty - work reportedly has not taken place on the site for weeks (Image: Newsquest)

The project, should it be completed, will see four former office blocks converted into 93 flats as part of a £5.2 million scheme at Riverside Office Centre, off North Station Road in Colchester.

Metal fencing is in place at the site and construction vehicles were seen working on the building in June, but the scheme has since reportedly been put on hold.

Gazette: Halted - work on the site has reportedly been put on hold Halted - work on the site has reportedly been put on hold (Image: Newsquest)

The Gazette understands there has been a disagreement between the former owners of the offices and those footing the bill for the conversion, although this has not yet been confirmed.

The buildings – Fairfax House, Century House North, Century House South and Digby House – are now all exposed to the elements.

Gazette: Derelict - the site has remained empty for several weeksDerelict - the site has remained empty for several weeks (Image: Newsquest)

Many windows have been removed but not replaced while the development is in limbo.

Pictures taken reveal there are still vehicles and equipment on the site.

Ammcass Group, which is leading the project, states on its website the scheme began in February 2022 and was due to be finished by May this year.

Gazette: Struggle - it is claimed there has been a disagreement between the former owners of the offices and those footing the bill for the conversionStruggle - it is claimed there has been a disagreement between the former owners of the offices and those footing the bill for the conversion (Image: Newsquest)

Colchester councillor Steph Nissen said she understands the project has stalled due to funding issues, but is hopeful work will continue.

She added: "There hasn't been any activity there for months. I've had a number of reports from residents that pigeons are now living in the buildings."

The firm had not responded when previously contacted by the Gazette.

The blueprints for the transformation were approved by Colchester Council in 2021 despite scores of objections from residents.

If completed, the 93 self-contained flats will be a mixture of 19 three beds, 26 two beds, 42 single beds and six studios.