Work will start this month on a new unit for people with learning disabilities on the Little Plumstead Hospital site.

The new inpatient facility represents a �5.3m investment in services for people with learning disabilities in Norfolk and will provide 12 single, en-suite bedrooms, allowing service users privacy and dignity during assessment and treatment.

The investment is being made by the Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT), which runs services at Little Plumstead Hospital.

Ground will be broken on Thursday, September 20, to celebrate the start of the work on the building, which has been designed to improve access to outdoor spaces and to allow for better involvement of carers in service users' treatment.

It will be a single-storey building with an angled roof that will allow light to penetrate, creating a modern bright, airy environment with an internal courtyard overlooked by large open day spaces. It is designed to the latest energy and sustainability standards to minimise its impact on the environment.

Tom Cahill, HPFT chief executive, said: 'We're thrilled that we can now start building a state-of-the-art facility for those needing specialist learning disability services in Norfolk.

'This is a major investment in the county, and just one of the many exciting schemes that the trust is undertaking.

'Wherever possible HPFT has committed to use local suppliers in developing and managing the site.'

Broadland District Council gave the green light for the new-build in May and the building work is expected to be completed in April 2013.

The new building replaces McLean House, which was suffering from subsidence and could not be economically upgraded to provide the standard of environment that the trust wishes to provide for those in its care.

Do you have a health story for the Evening News? Contact reporter Kim Briscoe 01603 772419 or email kim.briscoe@archant.co.uk