Page 4 - Town & Around - May 2025

4 Town & Around May 2025 Tel: 01485 540620 email: editor@townandaround.net
Wild in Westminster and West Norfolk

hen I was a guest on BBC Politics to engage on the plans. Decisions on the listed
East recently the opening question building consent are due this month and I
Wfollowing a survey on wellbeing have raised the need for a commitment on the
was “where is your happy place?” Having sails and supported English Heritage’s
grown up in North Norfolk, mine is the coast position on this. I will continue to work to
and Burnham Overy Staithe is a particular ensure local views are heard.
favourite place. In my last column, I focused on the
The recent appalling tanker collision off the concerns of small firms locally about the
East coast was a stark reminder of the increases in national insurance as well as a
vulnerability of our coastal area of near doubling of business rates for hospitality
outstanding natural beauty and vital habitats and retail businesses.
locally to pollution. I pay tribute to all those Regrettably, the Chancellor did not rethink
involved in the clean-up operation including her plans in the March budget and companies
the borough council, RSPB, National Trust, are facing higher costs as a result with lower
and others. That was particularly the case for wages, higher prices, and fewer jobs predicted
the operation to remove as many of the by the independent Office of Budget
smaller plastic nurdles from local beaches as Responsibility.
practically possible to protect birds and other With the turmoil unleashed by President
wildlife. borough councillor, I met the National Trust Trump through his imposition of blanket
It is the coast and iconic landmarks along it who own the building to underline the tariffs the economic outlook is looking
that are a big part of the draw that brings importance of a clear timeline for the works unpredictable and the government’s plans
people to North West Norfolk. One of those and a firm commitment to reinstate the sails - leave little contingency to respond to the
is the Tower Windmill at Burnham Overy while accepting specialist work is involved in fallout. So I hope the Prime Minister is
Staithe and I know there is concern about the their assessment and restoration. successful in securing a trade deal with the
state of the building and the plans to restore In response, the National Trust assured me USA to benefit consumers and businesses.
it. they understand the windmill’s importance to And with that optimistic thought, it’s time
Having spoken to local people and the local the local community and recognise the need to head to the beach!
The Government has confirmed the available funding and size of the New QEH
By QEH Communications Team
onfirmation of funding available and constituents and the whole of West Norfolk. I
the expected size of the New Queen know how crucial this rebuild is and I have
CElizabeth Hospital (QEH) in King’s been lobbying the government to ensure we
Lynn from the Government marks a major move as quickly as possible to get the modern
milestone moment for local acute healthcare hospital that patients and staff deserve. I look
services. forward to continuing to work with the
Received on Wednesday 9 April from hospital trust to drive this project forward.”
Health Minister Karin Smyth, the letter The New QEH will feature modern
confirmed funding available for schemes in construction methods and healthcare
the first wave of the New Hospital innovations to meet the needs of the local
Programme, including The QEH. population for generations to come.
This news brings our new state-of-the-art The New QEH programme will now move
hospital one step closer for patients and staff. into the delivery phase, with detailed designs
Confirmation of a funding envelope of being developed following national guidance
£1bn to £1.5bn will allow us to deliver the from the New Hospital Programme. The
right size hospital for our 330,000 population. programme will progress to construction with
The Government has also stated the project work on of the multi-story car park in early
is expected to move into the next stage of 2026. This key enabling project will allow for
delivery with work scheduled to begin in the new hospital to be built on the current
2027-2028. CEO Alice Webster main car park.
CEO Alice Webster said: “This letter gives The QEH, as a Reinforced Autoclaved
our team the certainty we need to progress our with the design phase for our new hospital. Aerated Concrete (RAAC), continues to work
already developing designs with confidence, There is still a thorough process to go through, with the national RAAC team and New
and bring a new hospital for our patients, our but we are all committed to opening the doors Hospital Programme to establish the
community and our staff closer than ever. We to a New QEH as soon as possible.” implications around safety for the RAAC
are pleased that the details given match with James Wild, MP for North West Norfolk, hospitals going beyond 2030. The
the vast work our teams have done in said: “This is a very important step on the Government has commissioned site reports
developing detailed report which outlines the journey to deliver a new QEH for patients, for each Trust, and the findings are expected
space needed to deliver our services from the staff, and our community. Securing funding to be ready in summer 2025.
new building. for a new hospital has been my priority since In June and July, the New QEH team will
“We know just how much The QEH means I was elected, and I will continue working be hosting a series of public sessions across
to the surrounding community and this closely with the Trust to ensure the plans the area to give a first look at what the new
announcement will be welcomed by all those proceed as rapidly as possible.” hospital will look like. Details on these events
connected with the hospital. Terry Jermy, MP for South West Norfolk, will be release on www.newqeh.org.uk in the
“We now look forward to pressing ahead said: “This is very welcome news for my coming weeks.