A hospice is set to be demolished to make way for a new development.

Havens Hospices is sell its buildings in Chalkwell – Fair Havens Hospice on Chalkwell Avenue and its adjacent day hospice and offices on Second Avenue.

A new, purpose-built adult hospice is being built in Prittlewell and is due to open in 2020, caring for twice as many patients as the current hospice can.

Patients will remain in the Chalkwell hospice until the new building is completed.

The existing hospice opened in 1983 and are two residential houses that were joined together. Various adaptations have been made over the years but is no longer fit for purpose with most of the rooms on the first floor and only a stairlift to transport patients, meaning people who are too poorly to use this must wait until a bedroom on the ground floor becomes available.

Echo:

The day hospice and charity offices are on the same site but in a separate building with no room to expand the services for patients who want to access wellbeing services.

Estate agent Ayers & Cruiks has been appointed to manage the sale, with the proceeds going towards the new building project.

Louise McKay, ward sister at Fair Havens Hospice said: “Although we will be sad to leave the current building, the time has come where we need a purpose-built facility in order to comply with the regulations of modern hospice care.

Echo:

“It has served us incredibly well over the past 36 years, caring for thousands of patients and many memories have been experienced here by the families, care team and volunteers. We will be sure to mark the transition between the buildings in a fitting way.”

Although having served the charity so well for 36 years, the current Chalkwell Avenue facility is set within a very exclusive residential area.

It will no doubt attract developers similar to those who turned bought out St Hilda's school in nearby Imperial Avenue - once a large house - for a flats development.

Echo:

Cramped - early bedroom at Fair Havens

The new Fair Havens Hospice, with its "welcoming and reassuring environment", will cover the population of Southend, Castle Point and Rochford, bringing together a range of specialist services to support people in making choices about their care from the day they receive their diagnosis, as they journey with their illness, and as the end of their life approaches.

It will incorporate 16 in-patient bedrooms, increased day hospice services, additional family support and beautifully landscaped gardens and grounds.

To register interest or to find out more about the sale of these properties contact Steve Ayers or Abbie Hayes by calling 01702 343060 or visit www.ayerscruiks.co.uk

To donate to the new hospice project please visit www.fairhavensforlife.co.uk