A man has told of his anger after discovering the 'upheaval' his father faces if plans are approved for a multi-million pound 'super care home' in Norfolk.

Keith Styles condemned the proposal to replace his father's care home with a new �8m site in Gorleston as part of a shake-up of care facilities across the county.

The 55-year-old believes Clere House, Ormesby, already has 'smashing' facilities and fears the 'special bond' between his father and carers could be destroyed. But the organisation behind the move says its plans will see people receive a better quality of care.

Mr Styles, a finance representative from Martham, near Great Yarmouth, said: 'Clere House is part of the village of Ormesby and a lot of people at the care home have lived in the village all their lives.

'But by closing the home that community spirit will be lost because staff and residents will be spread across the borough of Great Yarmouth.

'I can understand that by having one building instead of three it will be cheaper to staff and heat. But not everything comes down to price, it's about people's lives and well-being.'

The plans put forward by Norse Care, a public sector care company owned by Norfolk County Council, would include the closure of Magdalen House, in Gorleston, Mildred Stone House, in Great Yarmouth, and Clere House, in Ormesby, after September 2013.

Residents in the Gorleston and Great Yarmouth care homes will have the option of moving into the new site, while Ormesby residents will be relocated to Sydney House in Stalham, Springdale in Brundall, the new Gorleston site, or one of six independent care homes.

Norse Care is aiming to avoid compulsory staff redundancies by freezing recruitment at nearby care homes and allowing staff to transfer to the new site.

Meanwhile, John Stephens, 70, of Scratby, whose 97-year-old mother is a resident at Clere House, praised staff at the care home but could understand the need for updated facilities.

Karen Knight, managing director of Norse Care, said: 'The quality of the care provided at Clere House, and at Magdalen House and Mildred Stone House, is excellent. However, the facilities are not as good as we would like, nor do they meet the expectations of many older people in Norfolk who told us their priorities for care accommodation are en suite bathrooms and large bedrooms.

'The new care home in Gorleston would provide these facilities.'

ben.woods@archant.co.uk