Local people are being asked for their views on how Benjamin Court in Cromer could be used in future.

NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) is working with Healthwatch Norfolk to gather and listen to views from local people during an engagement period running from 8 May – 4 June 2024.

Benjamin Court in Cromer has been used to provide a range of health and care services in the past. It is made-up of two buildings, however one of these has largely been empty since last June. The ICB is considering what should happen with the building that is largely empty and would like people’s ideas about how it could be used in future.

An engagement document has been produced and can be found here.

The document provides:

• Some background information about Benjamin Court, including the size and layout of the buildings.
• The current position with the building, including the options we have explored so far.
• Details about how you can share your ideas about how the building could be used in future.
• An explanation about how a decision will be made about what happens with Benjamin Court.

People can feed back their views in a number of ways: 

• Completing the online survey here

• Completing the paper survey which can be found in the engagement document here and posting it to Healthwatch Norfolk

• Sharing your ideas at one of the drop-in sessions being held on the following dates:

• 13 May – Sheringham Library – 1.00pm-4.00pm

• 14 May – The Hub at Sheringham Little Theatre – 10.00am-12.00pm

• 15 May – Roys of Wroxham – 10.00am-12.00pm

• 16 May – Community Supermarket at Wicken Green near Fakenham – 10.30am-12.00pm

• 16 May – A spot on the WOW Bus in Fakenham Market Place – 1.00pm-4.00pm

• 17 May – Cromer Library – 10.30am-4.00pm
• 21 May – Main Hall at North Walsham Community Centre – 1.00pm-3.00pm

• Attending our public meeting on Thursday, 30 May, 6.00pm-7.30pm, at North Norfolk District Council, Holt Road, Cromer, Norfolk NR27 9EN. Book your place by visiting: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/benjamin-court-public-meeting-tickets-902211096677

Healthwatch Norfolk will analyse all of the feedback and produce a report for NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB). The ICB will then review the report and the ideas put forward and take a decision.

The ICB is hoping to find a solution that is viable financially, can be staffed, and will benefit as many people in Norfolk and Waveney as possible, and we really value local people’s ideas and suggestions.

However, if following the engagement exercise no viable alternative use of the building can be found, then the ICB will return the site to NHS Property Services. This would enable NHS Property Services to look for alternative tenants.

Alternatively, NHS Property Services could look to sell the site. If they were to sell it, then half of the proceeds from the sale would be available to reinvest in other NHS Property Services sites in Norfolk and Waveney.