A developer has gone back to the drawing board after its designs for a block of 41 retirement homes were met with derision from neighbours who called them "awful".

McCarthy Stone hopes to create a retirement community on the site of the former Old Grand Hotel on the Esplanade in Sheringham, which was demolished in 1974.

But in recent months the plans have faced several objections, including from the town council, who were far from keen on the proposals.

The exisitng flats along the Esplanade in Sheringham, which were the inspiration for the new retirement homesThe existing flats along the Esplanade in Sheringham, which were the inspiration for the new retirement homes (Image: Google)

The firm had been given a brief by North Norfolk County Council to try and match the properties with already existing flats next door.

But these buildings, built in a brutalist design in the 1970s, are among the least-loved properties along the seafront.

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The initial design for the retirement homes in SheringhamThe initial design for the retirement homes in Sheringham (Image: McCarthy Stone)

McCarthy Stone's architects, having listened to the objectors, have made revisions to the style of the flats.

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The new designs submitted by McCarthy StoneThe new designs submitted by McCarthy Stone (Image: McCarthy Stone)

Rather than a flat roof, the new proposals have a pitched roof design. Other changes include changing the colour of the materials used.

The public can continue to have their say on the plans, via NNDC's planning portal on its website.

The Grand Hotel in Sheringham dominated the town's seafront until 1974The Grand Hotel in Sheringham dominated the town's seafront until 1974 (Image: Newsquest)

WHAT ARE THE PLANS?

McCarthy Stone hopes to create a retirement community on the site of the former Old Grand Hotel on the Esplanade in Sheringham, which was demolished in 1974.

The firm, which is one of the largest providers of independent-living apartments for older people in the UK, says these flats will help meet the growing need for such properties in North Norfolk - an area with a growing ageing population.

However, people living in the town have objected to the proposal due to the design. They also cite fears that the retirement properties will be unaffordable for many locals and will instead be snapped up by wealthier retirees from elsewhere.