A HISTORIC Brentwood building has moved a step closer to being turned into a block of flats despite being labelled a vanity project.

The Old House, on Shenfield Road, almost became a restaurant earlier this year before developers dropped out of the deal.

But now Brentwood Council have approved surveys be undertaken on their building with the view to it being converted into six flats.

There are concerns though that the council have bitten off more than they can chew financially, with the works estimated to cost over £1 million. Estimated income for the council is measured at just over £60,000 annually for the administration through rent.