An ex health centre which helped people manage long-term conditions would be demolished to make way for almost 100 homes if plans are approved.

The former Long Term Conditions Centre on Copse Avenue in Harold Wood will be demolished to make way for 96 homes, if plans from developer Bellway Homes are allowed by Havering Council.

The centre was part of the former Harold Wood Hospital, which shut in 2006.

Havering Council received the plans, P1279.23, on August 17 and validated them on September 8.

In a supporting statement from agent and real estate provider Savills, which cited a 2020 Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting, the centre was deemed "tired and outdated" and victim to vandalism.

“There were major concerns about the fabric of the LTCC [long term treatment centre] which meant there was a lack of adherence to health and safety and infection control standards," the statement added.

Savills concluded that building new homes would be the most fitting use for that site.

But it also acknowledged a demand for additional GP services in the area, which it said was above the recommended capacity.

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Romford Recorder: CGI image of an alternative perspective of the site entrance, being built on the former site of Harold Wood HospitalCGI image of an alternative perspective of the site entrance, being built on the former site of Harold Wood Hospital (Image: Bellway)

Extending the exisiting Kings Park GP Surgery was suggested as a more "efficient and viable" option to the former conditions centre.

The agent's social infrastructure needs assessment also claimed it was unclear whether the property would meet NHS requirements for a modern GP surgery without serious investment.

It added that the former hospital building is unsuitable for other uses, including as a school, leisure facility, theatre, museum, community hall, art gallery or place of worship.

The conditions centre was run by North East London NHS Foundation Trust, but is now closed with the existing structure boarded up.

Harold Wood Hospital, the larger development site, was built in the 1970s and acquired from NHS Property Services by Bellway in April 2023, the needs assessment stated.

The hospital was managed by Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust.

The development on the former conditions centre would contain flats and homes in buildings between 2.5 and five-storeys high, with associated car parking.

Plans are currently undecided by Havering Council and a decision date has been set to December 8.