Plans to create a 24-bed ward on the North Walsham Cottage Hospital site have been approved by councillors.

The 24-bed intermediate care ward on the Yarmouth Road site, would be split into four-bed wards and eight single rooms and would replace the 18-bed unit in the current hospital which would be knocked down.

There would also be a visitors car park containing 28 spaces to the east of the new ward, with a further 24 spaces proposed to the north of the building. The existing ambulance station would remain.

The proposals were discussed at a meeting of North Norfolk District Council's development committee on Thursday and councillors voted to approve them, despite concerns from some nearby residents in Sampson Road about the close proximity of the new ward building to their homes and car parking provision.

Councillors did ask for a condition on the planning permission to be included, that there be the provision for additional car parking space should it be needed once the new ward is in operation.

Officers had recommended approval for the plans, saying there would not be any issues of loss of privacy or direct overlooking for residents in Sampson Road.