AN IMMIGRATION hub or medical research centre could be set up at Harwich's Fryatt Hospital as part of new plans to fill the under-used £12million building.

After opening in 2005, the purpose-built hospital was described as a "white elephant" with teething problems such as a large section of floor having to be relaid after bubbling up caused major disruption.

It has remained controversial for services, including the state-of-the-art operating theatre, being left unused.

But a report, set to go before the NHS North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group Board on September 29, has set out five options to make better use of the site.

The options are to remain purely as a centre for NHS services, to set up a dementia care activity centre and research base, sport and fitness centre, medical research base or immigration service hub.