A former dementia care home near the city is set to become a quirky new B&B.

Heath Farm Care Home in Little Plumstead closed in 2021 as owners Swanton Care could not afford to keep it running and has remained shut ever since.

Broadland District Council has approved plans to transform the grounds into a bed and breakfast.

Norwich Evening News: Heath Farm is located in Norwich Road in Little PlumsteadHeath Farm is located in Norwich Road in Little Plumstead (Image: Google)

Site owner Chris Harris said in a statement submitted to Broadland's planning committee that he looked into keeping the site a care facility.

He wrote: "After speaking to many specialists in this field and analysing the likely costs I can see why they just couldn't carry on.

"You really need a minimum amount of patients to make the care facility run well and cover costs and this building is way off that.

Norwich Evening News: The site went to auction with Leaders in October 2022The site went to auction with Leaders in October 2022 (Image: Leaders)

"I even tried to bring in a partner to the business that had owned his own chain of care homes but he confirmed that this wouldn't work for this building as it was too small."

READ MORE: Opening date announced for city pub under new management

This led the Salhouse local to consider renovating the site into a B&B instead, considering the neighbouring areas of the Broads, Wroxham and Norwich as making it a "well-placed location" for the business.

Norwich Evening News: The site will have five en-suite bedrooms, a communal lounge and a kitchenetteThe site will have five en-suite bedrooms, a communal lounge and a kitchenette (Image: Architects Two via Broadland District Council)

In the single-story outbuilding will be five en-suite bedrooms for guests, as well as a kitchenette, communal lounge area, office and storage.

READ MORE: Historic city church could become bar and art gallery under new plans

The main house will remain a family home under the plans, allowing Mr Harris and his family to live and work on the site.

Broadland District Council has issued several conditions for the applicants to follow, including that the car park must be completed before the development can first be used as a B&B, and that no one can live at the site for more than six weeks.

Building work at the site must begin within the next three years.