Proposals to build the 66-bedroom, three-storey facility on the site of a former factory had prompted criticism that Diss was becoming "an old people's town".

The south Norfolk town already has seven nursing homes and another 23 residential care homes, with a quarter of the town aged 65 or over, compared to the UK average of 19pc.

LNT Care Developments, the largest care home provider in the UK, had said the proposed home would be a "much needed care facility" for Diss.

Plans for the care home have been rejected (Image: LNT Care Developments)

Diss town centre (Image: Newsquest)

But the seven members of the Conservative-run South Norfolk Council's development management committee unanimously refused planning consent for the project at a meeting on Wednesday (July 29).

The plans had sparked a strong response from locals and Diss Town Council opposed it, saying it had "grave concern at the current extensive range of facilities for older people in Diss".

It added there was "concern that the economic and demographic profile of Diss is becoming unbalanced to an extent that will stifle the economic progress of the........

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