Cromer hospital project clears listing hurdle

Plans to build a new £12 million hospital in Cromer are back on track following news that English Heritage has no interest in listing the current hospital.

Back in April the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust was two weeks into the tendering process for a new hospital when English Heritage wrote to say they had been asked to consider listing the building.

As a result the new hospital project, funded by the Sagle Bernstein legacy, had to be put on hold pending a decision from English Heritage. The current Mill Road hospital opened in 1932.

But a report from English Heritage confirms they have no interest in listing any part of Cromer and District Hospital. The report states that;

– The original hospital design was not in itself innovative
– The Cape Dutch-style architecture is a late copy and of lower quality than other examples
– The architect was of local but not national importance
– The hospital no longer has its original character has been substantially extended since the 1950s
– There is little historic interest surviving in the interiors

The news means the Trust will restart the tendering process that had to be put on hold in April and get the project moving again. Once a contractor has been selected and building work starts the new hospital will be completed in 18 months.

Chief Executive Paul Forden said: “Back in April the issue of listing was suddenly raised and it was very much an 11th hour delay for the project. The delay has been frustrating for all of us but we appreciate the speed at which English Heritage dealt with this matter and we are looking forward to getting on with it now.”