A shake-up in the care provision across Norfolk could see three dementia care homes replaced by a new multi-million pound site.

A proposal has been launched to build an �8m super care home in Gorleston to shore up care facilities offered to elderly dementia patients.

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.

Meanwhile, 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.

Tony Williams, Norse board member and county councillor, s aid: 'While the care provided in these three Norse Care homes is excellent, the facilities are outdated and can only be adapted so far in order to bring them up to the standards residents have told us they want.

'The �8m care home in Gorleston we're proposing to build would be spacious, modern and allow its residents to live as independently as possible.'

A consultation has been launched to gather the staff and residents' thoughts about the proposal.

Mr Williams added: 'These are people's homes and we recognise that the prospect of moving out of them may be daunting.

'We want to reassure residents and their families and carers that we will support them and listen to their concerns through the consultation, and hope they understand that we are suggesting these changes in order to provide better care accommodation for people in Norfolk.'

'Residents, relatives and staff have been informed of the proposals and will all have the chance to discuss them with managers at the care homes.'

The new care home will be built near Peterhouse Primary School, on Peterhouse Avenue, Gorleston, and will provide larger bedrooms, ensuite bathrooms, communal areas, a safe garden and new assistive technology.

Currently, the three care homes provide 92 beds between them. The new home will have 88 beds.

It was also announced that a new housing with care scheme will be rolled out in the Great Yarmouth borough within the next few years.

ben.woods@archant.co.uk