DEMOLITION work has started at the famous Essex County Hospital site in Colchester.

Essex Housing, the housing firm run by Essex County Council, is building 120 new homes at the Lexden Road site, which closed in 2018.

The plans, which were approved last year, proved controversial due to featuring just four affordable homes, the design and the amount of parking on offer.

The council said the site had a number of limitations which made the scheme more challenging.

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Some of the historic buildings on the site are being restored as part of the development, but many newer buildings are being pulled down.

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

Former chief reporter David Woods took this video at around 11.30am this morning: