Plans have been revealed to build a new retirement community in a Norfolk seaside town named one of the best places to live in the UK.

Retirement housing company McCarthy Stone has presented plans to build 41 one and two-bedroom apartments at The Esplanade in Sheringham.

The apartments would all be designed to meet the needs of local older people who may be struggling to downsize, providing them with the opportunity to move into more suitable homes while staying close to family and friends.

McCarthy Stone says typically people would move from within a five-mile radius of its developments, meaning it would free up homes in Sheringham for families and first-time buyers to help ease north Norfolk’s housing crisis.

Older people moving into the apartments are expected to release at least 82 family-sized and starter homes back onto the local market.

READ MORE: Sheringham named among best places to live in the UK in 2024 

This is in line with the North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) Local Plan, which states there is a need for housing of this kind for older people in the district - as north Norfolk is the local authority area with the oldest population in the country. 

North Norfolk News: The site location of the proposed McCarthy Stone developmentThe site location of the proposed McCarthy Stone development (Image: McCarthy Stone)

The developer has also said the local economy would benefit, with people living in the homes proposed for the site being expected to spend a combined £308,000 each year at local businesses. 

People living in the properties are also expected to have a reduced risk of health challenges, such as dementia, slips and falls. 

READ MORE: Sheringham mammoth mural installed at East Promenade

According to the developer, this could save social care services and the NHS £3,500 per year, per person - with the entire development potentially saving £181,000 per year. 

North Norfolk News: An artist’s impression of McCarthy Stone’s proposals for The Esplanade, SheringhamAn artist’s impression of McCarthy Stone’s proposals for The Esplanade, Sheringham (Image: McCarthy Stone)

A community consultation has begun to gather early feedback on the plans, which will be used to shape the developer’s planning application submission to NNDC.

The virtual consultation is open at mccarthystoneconsultation.co.uk/theesplanade until April 19, 2024.