It is seeking outline planning consent from West Norfolk Council for
demolition of the old timber building at 16 High Street, which has been
its office, and building of four new homes there.

Treasurer Richard Jarvis said ACWND hopes to hear in the next week
if it has been given planning permission under delegated powers or
whether its application needs to go before the development control board.

John Baines, one of the charity's trustees, said the decision to sell the office was not taken lightly.

He explained: "We, as trustees, had to make a difficult choice and chose
to sell the Heacham office so that the money can ensure that ACWND
can continue to provide services that older people need.

"We are actively looking for another base within Heacham to continue
with our information giving and developing other support for older people.

"We know that some people in Heacham will be upset at this news, but
we believe it is more important for us to use our resources to serve people rather than risk the possibility of having to close down the charity."

Mr Baines said ACWND had no intention of closing its local information
service or the districtwide gardening and decorating project based
at Heacham and was looking for another premises of up to 150 square feet to operate from in the same area.

The district-wide charity was formed by merging the West Norfolk,
Downham and Heacham Age Concerns.

• Anyone with alternative premises in Heacham or the coastal area that they could let the charity use when it sells its office should contact Mr Baines on 01553 673008.