An empty office block could still be turned into 86 flats - despite three years passing since plans were first approved.

Travel and insurance firm Saga was granted permission to turn its offices in Middelburg Square in Folkestone into homes in September 2021.

But three years on, work is yet to start on the conversion - and planning permission is due to expire next month.

Saga has shown it is still committed to its proposals and has resubmitted identical plans to Folkestone and Hythe District Council in a bid to buy them more time.

The seven-storey building in Middelburg Square, called Bouverie House, has been sitting empty since staff moved to a working-from-home set-up in the wake of the Covid pandemic.

The proposal outlines plans for 53 two-bed flats and 33 one-bed flats, as well as residential space in the form of a lobby and storage space on each floor.

Thirty-six parking spaces are proposed around the building, including two disabled bays.

Cycle and refuse storage will be located at ground floor level.

Saga also operated from its headquarters in Enbrook Park in Sandgate but the site closed in March 2023, again as a result of changes to working patterns following the pandemic.

When it announced the decision, the company revealed that the hillside location - designed and built to accommodate around 1,000 employees - only saw approximately 120 people use the office more than twice a week.

Staff were then moved to a number of smaller office hubs around Kent with colleagues also able to work from home.

In 2021 Saga also secured 'prior approval' to convert the main building at Enbrook into 62 flats with an equal split between one- and two-beds, plus space for a concierge, a communal lounge and 62 car parking spaces.

It is unclear if this is still happening.

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A Saga spokesperson explained: "Following the successful transition to a hybrid working policy, we introduced a number of smaller hubs for those who wish to use office space.

“Regarding our site at Enbrook, we are still considering the long-term options as part of our wider property strategy and will update once confirmed.

“Saga remains committed to Kent and Folkestone where the majority of our colleagues live.”