Plans to build a 60-bed care home at the edge of a town have been blocked following strong local opposition.
The proposed development on land east of Draytonhall Lane in Scarning was recommended for approval by officers.
But Breckland councillors decided to block it due to fears it was being built in an unsuitable location at a planning committee meeting.
The developer argued it would be a state-of-the-art facility that would be secure, offering a home for people with late-stage dementia to live out the last years of their life "with dignity."
READ MORE: Investigation under way into Attleborough flooding
But members worried that the site would have sat next to a dangerous junction on busy A47 and could have posed a safety risk to care home residents - an issue also highlighted by Dereham Town Council and Scarning Parish Council.
Anthony Needham, clerk for Dereham Town Council called on councillors to not "make a dangerous situation worse".
After a lengthy debate, the care home was narrowly rejected with six councillors voting to block the bid to five in favour.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here