Left to right, Kirsty Clarke 14, Tim Adam, Hilary Thompson, Greg Hayman, Bruce Stratton, Andy Boyce and Tim Bartlett.; PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY

Plans to turn a redundant courthouse into retirement flats have been met with disappointment by the people behind the dream to bring a youth centre to Cromer.

Plans to turn a redundant courthouse into retirement flats have been met with disappointment by the people behind the dream to bring a youth centre to Cromer.

A number of key figures in the town had backed plans to see ‘The Nick’ project come to life after the police station and magistrates’ court on Holt Road closed in March 2011.

But now McCarthy and Stone, a private retirement homes building company, has exchanged contracts and plans to acquire planning permission to turn the building into flats.

Town, district and county councillor Hilary Thompson, a supporter of The Nick project, said she welcomed the idea for the use of the building but thought it had been a missed opportunity for Cromer’s youth.

“I certainly don’t want to see the building empty,” she said. “But I’m very disappointed we weren’t able to make a use of it for the younger children in the town.

“Cromer is a nice place for people to come and retire but if we don’t make a provision for younger people then we won’t survive.”

Miss Thompson added that other alternatives needed to be found in the town and praised the community centre on Garden Street which she described as “picking up”.

She said: “Maybe in the future we can make it more user-friendly for the youth.”

In the past Cromer has had a succession of youth clubs which have fizzled out for reasons including funding problems, a lack of volunteers to run them and the inconvenience of having to pack up everything after sessions to make way for other users.

Another youth centre supporter is Bruce Stratton, the managing director of Cromer-based Creative Tourism Ideas and Solutions.

One of The Nick project’s trailblazers, he wished the new developers “the best of luck” but said he was disappointed and added that he had not given up on finding a suitable premises for a youth centre in Cromer.

He said he had explored - unsuccessfully - other options.

“One essential thing - a youth centre for Cromer - didn’t get the recognition it needed,” he said.

“Finding a central location for one in the town is vital. If anyone can help please get in touch.”

William Jones, of Bidwells Property Consultants, the firm handling the sale, confirmed that contracts had been exchanged and said the sale was subject to McCarthy and Stone gaining planning permission.

He said: “The plan is to turn the building into a group of retirement flats and the sale will complete once they have got their planning consent.”

● Anyone who knows of a suitable premises for a youth centre in Cromer is asked to contact Mr Stratton by emailing bruce@ctis-ltd.co.uk or calling 01263 515900.