A former respite care centre in Westcliff is set to go under the hammer in an auction later this month.

Lulworth Court on Chalkwell Esplanade is being sold off by estate agents Dedman on January 19, following its sudden closure in December.

It had been operating amid a serious cash crisis for around two years.

A price tag of £650,000-plus has already been placed on the home, which boasts expansive views of Chalkwell seafront. The auction was originally planned for January 12 but a spokeswoman said it had now been postponed for a week.

Lulworth Court, owned by the charity, Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for Disabled People, is shown as Lot No 15 in Dedman's auction catalogue.

The prospectus issued by Dedman said: "It is felt the properties would lend themselves to conversion to residential or indeed, redevelopment."

Lulworth Court had been experiencing serious finance problems since early in 1998, when South Essex Health Authority withdrew its share of the funding.

After an appeal to the public, the authority continued the funding for a further year but at a reduced level.

However, in November, it was withdrawn altogether and the national charity's head office said it could no longer continue to sustain the loss the care centre, which was making of up of £200,000 a year.

In August 1998, the charity gained planning permission from Southend Council to carry out major improvements at Lulworth Court, which would have substantially increased the amount of room available for respite care.

The Queen Elizabeth's Fund for Disabled People has pledged to set up a special Lulworth Court Care and Holiday Fund which will enable disabled people to take well-earned holiday breaks.

Details of the new fund are expected to be revealed in the next few weeks.

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