A HOUSING scheme looks likely to be put forward for Essex County Hospital after council and hospital bosses agreed to assess its suitability.

Essex County Council has reached an agreement with Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust to commission the work for the 1.7 hectare site in Lexden Road, Colchester, which could then lead to development.

The Trust plans to move all of the services off the site by 2018, and it is hoped the move will stop the site lying empty for an extended period.

John Spence (Con), Essex County Council’s Cabinet member for housing, said: “This is a real signal of intent of how we are committed to working together to bring forward public sector land for the benefit of Essex residents.

“No plans for this site can be made until we properly understand the condition of the land, therefore, this is an important piece of work that will enable us to move forward to the next stage.”

The council’s housing arm, Essex Housing, works with public sector partners to identify taxpayer owned land which can be utilised for open market, affordable and specialist housing.

Last month the company demolished the former library HQ storage building in Chelmsford, which will be replaced with apartments.

A £42million budget has been set aside for the next five years to fund Essex Housing projects.

Essex County Council leader David Finch (Con) said: “Essex County Council will work with Colchester Council to develop a design and carry out due diligence and undertake engagement with residents.”

The Trust had been in negotiations to sell the site to developer Linden Homes, who planned to build roughly 130 houses on the site before a deal fell through last year.

Chief executive of the hospital trust Nick Hulme backed the plan.

He said: “The trust board is supportive of this innovative partnership approach.

“When the final health services are relocated from Essex County Hospital in early 2018, the site will be available to provide much-needed housing stock.”