£2.4m to create 16 supported living homes off Beech Close in Swaffham agreed by Norfolk County Council

County Hall has agreed to spend £2.4 million creating 16 homes in a market town as part of its ambitions to build 100 properties designed to help vulnerable people live independently.

People living in and around Swaffham are set to benefit from the housing which will offer supported living.

The scheme off Beech Close will provide homes for adults with learning disabilities, autistic people and people with physical disabilities, as a way to provide some of that housing.

It is part of a wider £18 million project to invest in independent living following a string of residential care home closures that increased demand for housing for adults with care and support needs.

The £2.4 million spend was approved by cabinet members this week.

Kay Mason Billig, leader of the Conservative-controlled Norfolk County Council, said the move is part of an “ambition to enable everyone to live their best lives”.

Margaret Dewsbury, cabinet member for communities and partnerships, added: “I wholeheartedly support this. It’s a brilliant idea and we need more and more of this across the county.”

While welcome, Norfolk County Council acknowledges the scheme will only go some way to tackling a shortage in such housing in Norfolk, where more than 300 specialist housing units are needed.