Hunstanton's library and bus station could be moved to make way for new development.

There have been rumours in the resort that the bus station, on St Edmund's Terrace, could be relocated.

Speculation has been mounting since a development of retirement flats was completed next to the site.

Now West Norfolk council says 'initial conversations' have started with Hunstanton Town Council and Norfolk County Council about possible options.

Alistair Beales, the council's cabinet member for corporate projects and assets, said: 'We are at the very early stages of looking for options to provide better access to the library services.

'If we are able to find a suitable alternative location, then this could potentially open up the bus station site for redevelopment. 'Over the coming months we will also be undertaking traffic studies to see what opportunities there may be for improving town-wide access to the bus services'.

Both of the above schemes come under the umbrella of a review called One Public Estate – Hunstanton. The government initiative is intended to encourage public sector organisations to work together to ensure that publicly-owned assets are used cost effectively. Some £50,000 of funding has been secured to undertake feasibility and traffic studies in Hunstanton.

Consultations are also about to begin over proposals to build affordable homes on land behind Tesco off Alexandra Road in the town.

The site is set to be developed using part of a £1.78m grant from the government's Community Housing Fund.

Adrian Lawrence, West Norfolk's cabinet member for housing and community, said: 'Areas on the north Norfolk coast, such as Hunstanton, are affected by their strong second homes market.

'House prices get pushed up and it becomes increasingly difficult for local people to buy or rent their own home in the town.

'This funding will help to address that need. The site will feature a larger proportion of affordable homes, with a smaller proportion available for sale on the open market'.

The council says consultation with community groups will start shortly and an open consultation event will take place early in 2018, ahead of any planning application being submitted.