DEMOLITION work is underway at a 144-year-old care home ahead of plans to build a new retirement complex on the site.

Plans were approved back in June 2023 for the former care home to be demolished and 27 new retirement apartments to be built in its place on Chalkwell Avenue, in Westcliff.

McCarthy Stone is behind the plan and has confirmed that demolition work has begun in recent days at the Edwardian nursing home dating back to 1880.

Demolition work is expected to last six weeks before construction begins on the new plans.

However, residents have been left disappointed to see the historic building being razed to ground.

Nearby resident, Robin Pinnock, said: “I photographed the building several times in the past in anticipation that it would be demolished eventually.

“It’s quirky architecture and sense of faded grandeur always appealed to my artistic eye.

“It is sad to lose another part of Southend’s history.”

The plans state there will be 11 one-bedroom apartments and 16 two-bedroom apartments.

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.

The building was sold to the developer McCarthy Stone for close to £2 million.

A spokesman for McCarthy Stone said: “We can confirm that demolition has commenced at the site on Chalkwell Avenue, which we expect to last for around six weeks.”

“We expect building to commence on the new development later this year and will provide more detail on timings in due course.”

A financial contribution of £212,519 was secured in lieu of onsite provision of affordable housing, as well as £3,718.17 towards biodiversity mitigation, management, protection, or education.

Before plans were approved, residents raised a raft of concerns, including the building being “out of character” as well as loss of privacy and overlooking from balconies.

Chalkwell Ward Residents’ Association had also lamented the loss of a 143-year-old landmark building “which is important to local character on this key route”.