£12m Cromer Hospital scheme back on track

Bidding for the £12m Cromer Hospital scheme in Norfolk is on again after English Heritage (EH) dismissed attempts by preservationists to list the existing building.

However, CJ understands Laing O'Rourke has dropped out of the race due to delays to the project, leaving Kier as sole bidder. Sources say Balfour Beatty may step into the ring in place of Laing O'Rourke.

Kier and Laing O'Rourke were vying for the ProCure21 contract to rebuild the hospital when the process came to a halt in April after preservationists lodged an 11th-hour objection.

But last week, English Heritage ruled the 1930s building was not special enough to merit national recognition.

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Trust is hoping that work can still begin by November, as planned.