A CONTROVERSIAL move to sell off part of a hospital for housing has been completed.

Developer Taylor Wimpey has bought unused buildings in the grounds of Southlands Hospital in Shoreham to build scores of homes.

It has not yet been revealed how much the land has been sold for but Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust said the profits would be ploughed back into services at the hospital.

The trust successfully applied for planning permission in principle last year to demolish the buildings after declaring them surplus to requirements.

A sale was eventually agreed with the developer following negotiations and part of the main car park area has already been roped off.

The outline plans include pulling down the main Harness block and surrounding buildings at Southlands and creating 60 houses and 46 flats.

The rest of the hospital will not be closing and the trust says it is still committed to providing services at the site.

There are plans for further investment in services including outpatient and day care treatment.

A major new centre specifically for treating eye problems is also due to open at Southlands next year.

The trust previously said it had tried to find out whether the Harness block could be used by another public body to deliver health or social care but no “realistic prospect” had come forward and so it took the decision to invite bidders for the land.

A Taylor Wimpey spokesman said: “We can confirm that we have purchased land adjacent to the Southlands Hospital with a view to bringing forward a residential development on the site.

“Earlier this year outline planning permission was granted for 106 new homes and we will be seeking reserved matters approval for detailed elements which have not already been dealt with at outline stage.

“We will be conducting a public consultation on our proposals in due course.”

The application will be considered by Adur and Worthing Councils.

The sale has disappointed campaigners, who want the area to be kept for community and rehabilitation beds.

Martin James, 62, from Shoreham, said: “That site should have been kept for health use.

“Instead we are going to have lots of homes which will just add to the traffic in the area.”