A HISTORIC care home in Southend looks set to be bulldzoed and replaced with more than 100 apartments for the elderly under major plans.

McCarthy and Stone are behind the proposals to construct two four-storey buildings on the site of the former Nazareth House care home in London Road.

One of the buildings would be made up of 60 self-contained retirement flats, while the other would offer 84 assisted living homes.

Senior councillors say the proposals are a good use of the site. 

But a furious historian is demanding the building is restored, rather then destroyed.

Ian Gilbert, Labour councillor for economic recovery, regeneration and housing said: “I do understand there will be people who will want to keep elements of the building the same.

“In terms of the proposed use of the site I think this is perfectly reasonable.

"We do not want it to become a derelict site for a long time and so coming forward I think this use is a good idea for the site.

Echo:

“I am sure there will be people who would prefer it to stay the same but it would need a huge amount of investment for that to happen.

“We’ve not had a large amount of retirement home plans coming through but if it’s good quality housing and will help people live well in their own homes for longer, it’s a good thing.”

The long-standing care home shut in February 2020 following a battle between the Nazareth Care Charitable Trust and Southend Council over plans to build a new care home on site.

The plans were refused by the council in October 2018.

Nazareth House was established in Southend in 1873 as a home for the elderly as well as for “sickly or incurable” children.

It has been home to the mother of former Southend West MP Sir David Amess, among others.

Historian Marion Pearce is firmly against the latest proposals.

She said: “The building there now is not the original one as it was a manor house called Milton Hall.

“It’s a very important site and building indeed. I think it’s dreadful to knock it down, it’s such a historic site.

“I do not agree with it being demolished at all.”

Planning documents state the new buildings will aim to fit on with the surrounding area.

They add: “The scheme will add another layer of design to this varied and evolving area, but which also pays due respect to the existing townscape.

"The scheme provides an appropriate scale and design.

"It will be sympathetic to the context referencing traditional features found locally whilst providing a locally distinctive contemporary appearance."

McCarthy Stone is also aiming to overhaul a forming nursing home at 20 Chalkwell Avenue in Westcliff. 

The plans will see the historic building, constructed in 1880, converted into 27 apartments for the over 60s.