Health chiefs have today agreed to press ahead with the closure of the Fermoy Unit in King's Lynn.

But while there are plans to replace it with a new facility elsewhere in the town, the health trust behind the move may have to borrow £4m to build it.

West Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) today heard the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust wants to refurbish Chatterton House in King's Lynn, and move the Fermoy's 16 beds there.

Chris Humphris, the CCG's director of operations, told its board sdervices at the unit had been under review since a critical report from the CQC (Care Quality Commission) in 2015.

He said after discussions with staff and user representatives, the best option was considered to be moving to Chatterton House.

The new unit would also offer an assessment hub and acute day treatment service, said a report to the board.

When member Dr Paul Williams asked where the money for the scheme would come from, Mr Humphris said the foundation trust would try national funding pots, adding if it was unsuccessful it would have to borrow the money.

Asked if any decision had been taken over the future of the Fermoy site, which is subject to a 125-year lease from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Mr Humphris said no decisions had been taken.

Moving to a unanimous vote to press ahead, CCG chairman Dr Ian Mack said: 'This is clearly a very positive development. What we want to see is a health campus for mental health on the Chatterton site.'

But after the meeting former Labour party general election candidate Jo Rust said: 'They haven't even got the money yet, that's a concern.

'How do we know any loan isn't going to have to be repaid at a high cost or isn't going to be another PFI.

'I'm pleased the intention is to work to improve mental health services but I'm not convinced moving to Chatterton House without securing the money is the way forward.'

The report to the board said a planning application is expected to be submitted next month.

As well as refurbishing two empty wards at Chatterton, the scheme also involves building a new corridor between them.

Work is expected to begin by December and be completed by December 2018.