THIS is a first look at St Helena Hospice’s plans to demolish its Clacton day centre and replace it with 40 flats and a restaurant or shop.

The charity wants to close and knock down its Tendring Centre which was funded by £275,000 of charitable donations.

The centre, in Jackson Road, Clacton, is used for therapy for patients nearing the end of their lives and bereavement support.

Despite recently recording a rise in demand for these services, bosses say the site is no longer viable.

Instead, the hospice plans to offer the support elsewhere.

A statement written in support of the application to Tendring Council said: “The facility has been seriously under-used for a considerable period of time and the running and maintenance costs cannot be justified when compared to the level of use.”

Should the plans get the go-ahead, the building would be demolished, making way for 40 flats and 27 parking spaces.

A ground floor space is set aside for a possible restaurant, pub or shop.

The statement adds: “Given the town centre location, likely tenants for the ground floor accommodation would be national restaurant chains, bistro-bar or pub operators or possibly compact or local versions of supermarket chains.”

The hospice hopes money made from the sale of the site will help to secure its future but campaigners have called for the building to stay open.

Nicky Freeman, spokesman for the Clacton Carnival, said: “It is so sad. Going back to the year 2000 and prior there was a desperate need for it.

“This centre saved many people the trauma of going all the way to Colchester.

“We saved money for five years and gave them £22,500 towards the building.”

In a letter to the Gazette, Peter Vergo, the hospice’s chairman, said all services offered at the centre will be provided at other locations.

He said: “What we don’t want is for your money to be spent on a building which is no longer cost-effective when we can deliver the same support to patients, families and carers for less at other premises.

“We recognise how much the centre has meant to people over the years. However, our care is more than just a building.”

Tendring Council will have the final say on the plans.