Cygnet House

Plans for the redevelopment of a former Norfolk dementia care home as 50 new homes have been submitted to South Norfolk Council.

The council itself has submitted the outline plans for Cygnet House in Long Stratton, which used to be an NHS run care home for people with dementia until it closed in 2006.

The application, which was submitted in February, also provides for office space on the site, which is next to the council’s offices in Swan Lane.

However, a number of residents have commented on the scheme, including Chris and Corinne Haynes who were concerned the new homes would overlook neighbouring properties, while Sarah Barrett, who lives in nearby St David’s Close, said she would be affected by noise pollution, while nearby schools and doctors surgeries would not be able to cope with the extra residents from the development.

She added: “The access will be even more of a problem on Swan Lane, especially at school times. The road is dangerous for pedestrians crossing as it is.”

Another St David’s Close resident, Ian Hetherington, also objected on the grounds he would be affected by noise and he said he was concerned about the safety of children crossing Swan Lane because there was no pedestrian crossing.

Since the care home closed, a number of proposals have been made to revive the site, which have never come to fruition, including plans in 2010 to build 80 homes of varying sizes inspired by the historic buildings in Long Stratton.

The council commissioned educational charity The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment to draw-up a concept for the area with the aim of submitting a formal planning application, but the plans were never finalised.

A series of public consultations were also held prior to the plans being submitted and leaflets were posted through the doors of homes close to the development.