Ground breaking at the former Essex County Hospital

In March 2024, Essex House were delighted to break the ground on the site of the former Essex County Hospital, marking the beginning of this redevelopment project.

Phase one of this three-phase scheme will bring 63 quality new homes to this local community within Colchester, with an additional 57 homes to be completed in the following two phases. The first phase works will comprise of the restoration of the existing Grade II listed main hospital block, which closed its doors to the public in 2018. The construction of new sustainable homes at the front of the site with associated landscaping works, will totally transform this underused piece of land that was once an iconic public building.

On site for this key milestone was Essex Housing LLP’s Chairman Cllr Ray Gooding to assist with the ceremony.

Cllr Ray Gooding said: “After much work, it is great to see construction start at this iconic site in a key city centre location in Colchester. This project is one of many we’re working on through Essex Housing LLP, as we continue to deliver new homes and community assets for our residents and bring underutilised buildings and assets back into use.”