As Havens Hospices prepares more in depth plans for a new adult hospice, the charity is sharing with residents more details about its search for suitable land.
In October last year, Fair Havens shared its vision with the local community for a purpose-built hospice with 16 bedrooms, a larger Day Care Centre and beautiful gardens. The preferred piece of land to build this new hospice is Belton Way in Leigh-on-Sea, a seven acre area of agriculture land, owned by The Salvation Army, which is classed as Green Belt.
"The needs of our patients"
Havens Hospices Chief Executive Andy Smith says, “Our preferred site of Belton Way comes from assessing a number of pieces of land in our catchment area. If we are to meet the special circumstances requirements, we will have to demonstrate that Belton Way is the only suitable site.
"Using a variety of means, including looking at sites listed on the local authorities development land database, we have identified 70 pieces of land of 1 hectare (2.2 acres) or more, and have been assessing all of them for their suitability against a set of detailed criteria. At the heart of these criteria are the needs of our patients, their families and our nursing staff and volunteers.”
The criteria fall into two sections: Feasibility and Quality. For example, under Feasibility the charity looked at the size of the land and whether there is space to include gardens and car parking. Ideally the site would be between five and seven acres but sites from the minimum 2.2 acres have been looked at. Other criteria include whether the site is linked to a development “master plan” and if the area has any Tree Preservation Orders.
The Quality section includes considerations such as its public transport links, whether it is central to the area the hospice cares for, proximity to Southend Hospital and a pharmacy, if the views would create an attractive and restful environment and if the new building could fit in with the surrounding landscape.
Considered Sites
Some of the 70 sites so far considered were at Rawreth Industrial Estate, Stadium Way, Essex Way, Seaway Car Park, London Road, the old Safeway site in Eastwood, two sites at Bournes Green, agricultural land in Rayleigh, Scrub Lane in Hadleigh, Albany Laundry in Westcliff, as well as the existing site on which Fair Havens resides.
Andy continues, “The two sites that scored the highest based against the criteria were Belton Way and Daws Heath Road, where our children’s hospice Little Havens is built. This piece of land is also Green Belt.
“In speaking to our patients and their families, they have told us they want to continue to see and feel part of the local community and ideally to have views of the Estuary. The Belton Way site provides opportunities to realise these aspirations and we believe we have a responsibility to pursue them on their behalf.
“The Little Havens location is unable to offer the same opportunities and is less well placed to provide the breadth of services for New Fair Havens as it is very much at the westerly boundary of the patients and families who would be using the service. Also the transport facilities are not as good without a local train service, very limited bus service and distances to travel for the vast majority of all our patients and families.”
Have Your Say
Havens Hospices is inviting the public to suggest any potential sites for the charity to consider to see if it fits its requirements, promising to consider any new pieces of land that haven’t already been identified. The criteria are available here, together with a list of the publicly available sites.
Andy says, “In searching for a suitable site, we have endeavoured to act sensitively and responsibly. Throughout the process of planning a new Fair Havens Hospice, we have included the very community we care for at every step of the way and we look forward to hearing the thoughts, views and suggestions of our neighbours.”
To contact the charity regarding plans for the new hospice please visit our New Fair Havens comments page or write to:
New Fair Havens Hospice
47 Second Avenue
Westcliff on Sea
Essex
SS0 8HX
