ANOTHER ten homes have been added to plans for a new estate at the site of the former Essex County Hospital.

Essex Housing, a new function of Essex County Council set up to build homes on surplus land, has applied to Colchester Council for planning permission to create 120 properties at the Lexden Road site.

Initial designs suggested 110 homes were set to be built at the hospital, which closed in November last year, however, this figure has now been increased.

Gazette: The development from aboveThe development from above

The properties will be a mix of one to three bedroom apartments and three and four bedroom town houses.

All of the site’s historic buildings, including the Grade II listed main hospital, nurses block and kitchen, will be saved.

A number of the more contemporary buildings will be demolished to “improve the setting” of these historic buildings.

Essex Housing responded to a public desire to see the provision of affordable homes on the site and four are now planned as part of the development.

Gazette: How the development could look How the development could look

A spokesperson for Essex Housing said: “The plans we have submitted, which have been shaped through extensive consultation with Colchester Council and the community, will give the historic former hospital site a new lease of life.

“Key to our vision is the conservation and restoration of key historic buildings, including the Grade II listed main hospital, alongside new build elements in a high-quality residential redevelopment of the site.

“The plans will also revive the historic green open space at the front of the main hospital building, which latterly served as the hospital car park, presenting a vastly improved aesthetic to the town centre gateway site.”

Gazette: A graphic showing the new estateA graphic showing the new estate

A total of 149 parking spaces are set to be provided for new residents, however, County Hall says the location makes development sustainable, with both stations within a “reasonable walking distance”.

Profits from the development will be reinvested in public services via the council and NHS trust.

Colchester Council will have the final say on the plans. If approved, work could begin in the spring 2021.