Havens Hospices has submitted a Planning Application to build a new adult hospice in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.
Following a meeting with Councillors, as well as planning officers and representatives of local residents associations and interest groups on 14th September, Havens Hospices handed in its official plans to build a new adult hospice to Southend Borough Council on Friday 23rd September.
Now we need your help
On 14th December Southend Borough Council will make a decision on the application. With more than 17,000 signatures in support, the petition shows the overwhelming support but councillors have said they need more "proof" about the strength of feeling in support of these plans. Our supporter's help will make a real difference.
If you support the plans, you can help by:
- Writing a letter of support addressed to Head of Planning and Development. Please cite the Planning Reference Number 11/01343/FULM in your letter/e-mail and send to:
Planning Department
Southend Borough Council
Civic Centre
Victoria Avenue
Southend on Sea
SS2 6ER'
Or e-mail planningregistrationteam@southend.gov.uk
More about our plans
The charity is looking to build a larger purpose built adult hospice on farmland off Belton Way in Leigh-on-Sea though it is classed as greenbelt. Last year, the Fair Havens Hospice had to turn away 49 people who needed its care, simply because not enough beds were available at the time.
The charity looked at over 80 sites and, judged against criteria that are needed to care
for patients and families, Belton Way is the only site on which the fullest hospice care services can be provided.
Chief Executive Andy Smith commented, “The adequacy of our current building on Chalkwell Avenue is failing and Fair Havens is the only organisation in Southend entirely devoted to providing specialist care to adults with life-limiting illnesses and their families. It is therefore our duty to ensure we can meet the increasing demand of hospice care in the future.”
The plans detail a modern yet environmentally friendly and non-clinical environment which will nestle into the natural slope of the site and therefore not be visible from Marine Parade. The building will house expanded Day Care services, a therapy centre similar to an ‘Out-Clinic’ to care for patients needing blood transfusions, chemotherapy, and lymphodema treatment, plus 16 In-Patient bedrooms for patients with complex medical needs.
Andy continues, “If the charity is successful in its application to build a new adult hospice, Fair Havens will be able to care for twice as many patients as before. It’s not just about the number of additional bedrooms but about enabling our nursing team to care for patients whose needs are complex and specialist, such as when they have more than one underlying condition, or their needs are severe and require the support of our multi-disciplinary team.
"For example, through our many care services we can help to control pain and other distressing symptoms; regulate medication and managing its side effects, and give patients dignity, respect and high-quality individualised care throughout their illness and at the end of their lives.”
Designs for the new hospice also feature wider corridors enabling wheelchair users and patients who are bed-bound to move around more easily and leave the confines of their bedroom, including balconies for each of the bedrooms meaning patients can be wheeled outside to feel the fresh air on their face.
The building will be sustainable too, with a partially green roof to assist water flow and to catch excess water for use across the site. There will also be lots of natural light and ventilation to reduce energy consumption. The only air conditioning will be within the patient bedrooms to give them control of their own environment. Outside, the tree line along Belton Way will be re-established and an additional public footpath created. There will also be around three to four acres of wild flower meadows enhancing and helping to develop the existing wildlife. 
Following feedback from Havens Hospices’ previous ‘Come and See Sessions’ the charity has addressed some of the main concerns local residents had about plans for a ‘bistro’ and ‘internet cafe’ as Andy explains. “We had initially wondered if the idea of a ‘bistro’ would be a nice way of inviting the community to pop in with the aim of dispelling myths about hospice care, yet this proved a real concern for many people we spoke to. Therefore the ‘bistro’ is a welcoming way of describing an area away from the patient bedrooms where relatives and patients - if they feel well enough - as well as our staff can have a friendly conversation over something to eat and drink. It will not be open to the general public.
“Our plans for new Fair Havens include a training room, as we have to ensure our clinical nursing team and other staff keep their professional skills and knowledge up to date. It would also be a resource to other health care professionals who want to develop their experience and practice in palliative care. Our use of the phrase ‘internet cafe’ describes a foyer area near the training facility that would have a few computers for on-line training and which patients and their families could use to access information, for example, about their illness, and sources of help and advice or to keep in touch with loved ones who are too far away to visit.”
Other issues addressed can be found in the documents to your right, or please visit our New Fair Havens FAQ's
Andy continues, “The future of Fair Havens is an issue that could affect everyone in Southend, Castle Point and Rochford. We have a duty on behalf of everyone we care for, those we will meet in the future and those who signed the petition to provide the very highest level of hospice care, which we believe can be achieved at Belton Way.”
“Throughout this journey, we have worked alongside the community every step of the way. We look forward to sharing our plans in more detail.”
