Independence Homes, the new owners of the former Maric Curie Hospice in Harestone Valley Road, Caterham, have applied to Tandridge District Council for planning permission to demolish the historic building. The building, named 'Harestone', was constructed in 1879 by William Garland Soper and became a hospice in the 1960s. By 2008 the hospice had closed all its beds but continued to provide a day-care service. The building finally closed in 2009 and the proceeds from the sale went towards doubling the number of people being cared for at home by Marie Curie Nurses. St. Catherine's Hospice in Crawley took over the provision of in-patient palliative care alongside St. Christopher's Hospice in Sydenham and the Caterham Dene Hospital.

According to the the planning application submitted by Independence Homes, the existing buildings are past their useful life and not compliant with current standards. If the planning application is approved by the council, the old building will be demolished and a new facility constructed to provide for the care of patients suffering from epilepsy.

Commenting on the proposed demolition of the old hospice building, Tandridge District Councillor for Caterham Valley, Beverley Connolly, said: "I am extremely disappointed to learn of the planned demolition of one of Caterham's last remaining heritage houses, especially when I was led to believe that the future of Harestone had been secured when Independence Homes first bought the site. It is a very sad and regrettable development."