A former residential care home that was closed down by the authorities could be turned into four new homes.

Highfield in St Mary's Road, Cromer, which was home to 17 people, shut earlier this year.

Plans have been lodged with North Norfolk District Council for a change of use at the redundant site.

The plans would see the bay-fronted Victorian building turned into three three-bedroom homes and one two-bedroom. Proposals also include removing the external staircase and inserting a window to replace a door.

A design statement submitted with the application states that the proposed development would provide four family homes for the area, while retaining the existing building.

The former care home had been placed in special measures after a surprise inspection found choking and ulcer risks and residents soiling themselves.

And Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors threatened "urgent enforcement action" if managers failed to turn things around.