Westcliff Chalkwell Avenue care home to be demolished

The nursing home, close to Westcliff’s Chalkwell Park, is at the centre of plans for a new 27-home retirement complex.

Developer McCarthy Stone wants to demolish the derelict Edwardian care home, at 20 Chalkwell Avenue, and replace it with a three-storey building.

The redbrick building will have 11 one-bedroom homes and 16 two-bed apartments, with 16 of the 27 properties having a private balcony or terrace.

The company carried out an extensive consultation last year ahead of submitting its plans to Southend Council.

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A report to the development control committee, which will meet on Wednesday, shows objections have been raised by organisations and residents.

What the retirement complex will look like (Image: Newsquest)

A response by the NHS said: “The proposal is likely to have a severe impact on the health services and the surgeries which operate in the vicinity of the site. The case for independent living is noted however the existing GP surgeries do not have the capacity to accommodate the additional growth.”

A £12,700 contribution by the developer to local health services was requested.

The plans also include a communal garden and reception area, a communal lounge, guest suite, scooter store and refuse store. At least one resident of each flat will be required to be aged 60-plus.

Chalkwell Ward Residents’ Association said there was an over-supply of retirement housing in the vicinity of the site, with four other developments close by. The association also lamented the loss of a landmark building “which is important to local character on this key route”.

Eight letters of representation were received by the council.

Residents raised a raft of concerns, including the building being “out of character” with other buildings in the area. Loss of privacy and overlooking from balconies were also cited along with loss of sunshine and noise and disturbance.