Councillors will decide whether to approve plans to make Cromer and District Hospital's radiology unit permanent.

Eastern Daily Press: Cromer and District HospitalPhoto by Mark BullimoreCromer and District HospitalPhoto by Mark Bullimore (Image: Archant Norfolk 2015)

The specialised unit, which is currently open under temporary planning permission from North Norfolk District Council (NNDC), provides a total of 12,500 patient scans per year.

Now the hospital, which is run by Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH), is applying for a full planning application to retain the building, which currently has lapsed temporary planning permission.

In the planning report, it said: "Without it [the radiology unit] there would be a significant shortfall in the provision of services provided by the facilities described above and patients would be required to travel to the trust's main site in Colney, Norwich, impacting on the capacity there."

When permission was granted for the unit in 2005, the council stated the reason for the temporary planning permission was "to enable the local planning authority to retain control over the future development of the site."

Eastern Daily Press: A general view of Cromer and District Hospital. Picture: STUART ANDERSONA general view of Cromer and District Hospital. Picture: STUART ANDERSON (Image: Archant)

The temporary planning permission stated that the agreement would expire on June 30, 2015.

A spokesman from NNUH said: "The services at Cromer and District Hospital are a vital part of our service to local people.

"As part of the long term service provision, we are applying for permanent approval of the MRI unit to replace the limited planning approval which has been in place."

The radiology unit was funded by the culmination of a £2.3m project to bring new treatment and diagnostic services to Cromer.

Eastern Daily Press: A picture from the opening day of Cromer's new New Radiology. Wendy Weston (Radiographer) takes an x-ray of Gabriella Hubbard. Picture: Elaine MaslinA picture from the opening day of Cromer's new New Radiology. Wendy Weston (Radiographer) takes an x-ray of Gabriella Hubbard. Picture: Elaine Maslin (Image: Archant © 2006)

In a planning report submitted to the council, it said: "There will be no impact in retaining the existing radiology department as it is an existing building retained for its current use.

"There will not be in any change in staff, patient or visitor numbers. The seven staff are all full time.

"Parking numbers will remain unchanged and there will be no impact on existing transport arrangements. There are no spaces within the car park specifically allocated for the radiology department."

No decision has been made on the radiology unit's planning permission.