A FORMER office block which is being transformed into more than 50 apartments is set to be completed in October.

As previously reported by The Gazette, Sentinel Housing Association, based in Kingsclere Road, Basingstoke, purchased Dextra Court in Chapel Hill to convert the building into 56 apartments.

The building, which has been empty since November 2013, was previously occupied by Friends Life, a pension and insurance provider.

The housing association was then granted permitted development rights to convert the office into homes by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council last May.

FSL Interiors UK Limited is refurbishing the building.

Mike Shepherd, Sentinel’s development and regeneration director, said: “The simple truth is that nationally we aren’t building enough homes to solve the housing crisis.

“This type of redevelopment means we can turn these new homes around in eight months.”