Public to be given say on proposed elderly care complex

Plans to build a large elderly care complex close to Diss Station looks set to undergo a public consultation to get the views of local residents.

East Anglia Care Homes wants to demolish an existing bungalow on land on the corner of Nelson Road and Sawmills Road to make way for the development that would include 82 one and two bedroom apartments providing 'extra care' to elderly residents.

The proposed facility, designed to allow older people to be self-sufficient for longer by incorporating carers into their homes, would have 24 hour staff and communal facilities including restaurants, hair dressing and beauty room, lounge, function room and a laundry.

After the pre-application proposals were outlined by East Anglia Care Homes, Diss Town Council planning subcommittee agreed to support it in principle at a meeting on July 18, but resolved that a consultation to get public views should take place.

No final decision will be taken by the town council until a full planning application has been submitted by the assisted living provider which already runs care homes in Wymondham and North Walsham.

In a report planning subcommittee chairman Eric Taylor said: "The current land owner previously received consent for a 76-bedroom care home on this site in 2013, but the new proposal here is for 82 'extra care' apartments and associated facilities.

"In contrast to a care home where each resident has a bedroom, accommodation in an 'extra care' scheme is provided in individual flats each with its own front door and kitchen. Flats, typically, are either rented or purchased on a long lease.

"It is widely recognised that 'extra care', a relatively new form of housing for older people, has great advantages."

Mr Taylor said Diss Town Council had supported the 2013 planning application but noted that it had stressed a traffic regulation order might be needed to stop parking between Nelson Road and Station Road.

Nelson Road residents have previously campaigned to stop rail commuters parking on the road.

A £250,000 new link road to connect Nelson Road to the railway station forecourt car park is set to be built by Norfolk County Council making it easier for public transport to serve Diss Station.