A CAMPAIGN group opposed to plans for a new hospice on greenbelt land is stepping up calls for the scheme to be abandoned.

Havens Hospices, which runs Fair Havens adult hospice, Westcliff, and Little Havens children’s hospice, Thundersley, has drawn up plans to create adult beds by building a £15million hospice on green belt land, close to Leigh station.

Concerned residents formed campaign group Save Our Green Belt. After Havens declined the group’s request to be part of its public presentations, it is preparing a leaflet campaign ahead of a meeting with the charity to ask for the plans to be abandoned.

Group chairman Mike King said: “The building is a first class design and it would be lovely to have it built, but not on green belt land in Leigh. We hope Havens does not continue with plans for this site.”

The group is keen to stress that although it opposes the location for the new hospice, off Belton Way West, close to Castle Drive, it supports the charity and its work.

Mr King met with Havens Hospice’s chief executive, Andy Smith, on Tuesday to discuss the situation.

Mr Smith said the charity met with Mr King because it believed in speaking to the community.

He said: “We shall continue to remain open about our plans for a new adult hospice to care for the people of Southend, Castle Point and Rochford, and look forward to seeing members of our community at one of our events.”

The campaign group is also preparing to meet Southend West MP David Amess, tomorrow.