Witham's Bridge Hospital is still on course to close down in March.
The Hatfield Road hospital, which once housed about 400 patients and various out-patient departments, has been undergoing a phased shutdown since 1998.
Much of the site is expected to be released for housing development, although many of the existing Victorian buildings will have to remain as they are listed.
Witham town mayor Keiron Boylan recently called for a round-the-clock health centre for minor injuries and ailments to be built as part of the redeveloped site.
About 50 patients with learning disabilities currently remain at Bridge Hospital, and are gradually being moved to new smaller units depending on the level of care they require.
The move is in line with NHS policy to de-institutionalise patients and helping them to lead as full a life in the community as possible.
Published Monday, January 13, 2003
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