A DEVELOPER determined to preserve the Essex County Hospital site has revealed details of his bid.

Ross Carroll, of Crown House Homes, wants to build a 100-bed care home, 40 two-bed retirement apartments and a unit for care services on the Lexden Road, Colchester, site.

He is among seven developers who have submitted bids to Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust, which will make the final decision the coming weeks.

It has accepted offers in excess of £6million for the site.

Contracts are due to be signed by March 31.

Mr Carroll said: “The site was always intended as hospital care and we want to carry that on. It is a prime site in Colchester.

It is so iconic in the town.

“We wanted to find a solution that is economically viable.”

Crown House Homes has been working on its proposal for six months, and representatives attended the public meeting at the Royal Grammar School in October to hear residents’ opinions.

One of the key parts of the plan is a wing on the Hospital Road side of the site, which would be for medical care services.

The developer hopes to work with the trust to decide which services will be provided, but expects it to be assisted living and palliative care which, it is hoped, will help free beds at Colchester General Hospital.

Stour Valley Care Group would run the care home and care services. The main hospital building would be turned into the retirement apartments, with the nurses’ quarters, a separate building, saved.

People in the retirement apartments would have access to services in the care home, such as nursing and catering.

Mr Carroll said some other developers hope to build more than 200 homes on the site.

He said: “We hope the trust is going to look at it not just in a monetary way, but the most acceptable option for the trust and Colchester.

“We’re offering services that are vitally needed. Everyone we’ve spoken to is in support with what we want to do.”

“We think this is the best solution for the site, the town and the people of Colchester.’’

The hospital will close in September, and Mr Carroll hopes he will be able to start clearing the site immediately, if his bid is successful.

Subject to planning permission, building work is expected to take a year. Services at the hospital are gradually being transferred to Colchester General Hospital and the nearby primary care centre.