Thurrock Council is planning on selling off an abandoned school site to create a much-needed medical facility in Stanford-le-Hope.
The council’s cabinet (7 March) agreed the sale of the former Graham James infant school to Dr Devaraja for the development of a new doctor’s surgery.
Cllr John Kent, Leader of the Council, said at the meeting: “This is a perfect example of what we were discussing at the last cabinet meeting, our asset management strategy.
“Although this plan was first mooted back in 2005 it has taken a long, long time to get to this point, but at least we’re here now.
“The council could have decided to sell off the land to developers for housing and rake in the monetary rewards that would bring.
“But instead it has chosen to work with a local doctor and the health service to create a brand new community health facility.”
He added: “I’d like to take this opportunity to say that this scheme should be seen as the blueprint for the way we’re going to deal with our assets in future.
“We will look at each one carefully; we will talk with local people and partners, and then we’ll make a decision; a decision based on what is best for local people and not what is best for the council’s coffers”
Members agreed the sale of the former infant school site and the caretaker’s house to Dr Devaraja for a total of £520,000 subject to: the final agreement of the PCT; Dr Devaraja being granted a building lease, together with an option to buy the site; in order that the development
can start immediately, with completion, accompanied by full payment, being made by no later than the 29 March 2013 .
They also wants use of the site to be permanently restricted by covenant to the provision of medical services, and the proposed location of vehicle access plans for the building being discussed and agreed with the nearby Graham James Primary School.
