A consultation will be held next week on plans to redevelop a former Norfolk dementia care home site, which has stood empty for six years, as 56 homes.

South Norfolk Council is inviting Long Stratton residents to visit the council's offices on Monday to have their say on the plans to demolish Cygnet House, next to the offices in Swan Lane, and turn it into homes and a two storey office.

The council-owned building, which was bought in 2009, used to be an NHS run care home for people with dementia until it closed in 2006.

Since then, 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 consultation was also held in March, which determined the building should be used for a residential development, which culminated in the latest outline plans announced this week.

The redevelopment of the site will also include a strip of land to the north, running between the council's headquarters building and car park and adjacent homes.

Councillor Garry Wheatley, cabinet member for finance and resources said all options for Cygnet House had been looked at, including refurbishing the building, but the costs were too high.

The consultation sessions will be between 2pm and 4pm and 6pm and 8pm.

A leaflet will also be posted through the doors of homes close to the development, which will include a short survey for people to respond to.

The deadline for comments is October 8.