Councillor Tim East said work to clear the site could begin this autumn if the legal document is watertight.

Work on a long-awaited community centre for a housing estate could begin in September, despite problems over land ownership.

Costessey Parish Council could begin clearing the site for the centre at Queen’s Hills this autumn, even though it does not yet own the land, because of a promise being made by the developers to transfer the ownership of the site.

The Norwich Evening News understands a legal document has been drawn up guaranteeing the parish council ownership of the community centre plot, while they wait for the Land Registry office to officially transfer the land.

If accepted by the council’s solicitors, it would mean work to build the centre would be kept on track, despite delays still being caused by the confusion surrounding the collapse of the estate’s lead developer Cofton in 2009.

Norfolk County councillor for Costessey, Tim East, pictured, said: “Providing the document is watertight we are likely to clear the site and start building.

“If everything goes to plan, we hope to clear the land in the autumn with the view to starting construction in January.”

The parish council had been reluctant to build on any land it did not own, but the legal document could break the deadlock.

In March, after the threat of legal action, the consortium of developers handed over £675,000 to the council for a community centre to be built on the estate.

Costessey Parish Council will add £200,000 towards the project, which has already secured planning permission. But work is yet to start due to the delays in getting the land transferred.

When built the council hopes the centre will replicate the success of the Costessey Centre in Longwater Lane.

Families at Queen’s Hills have been waiting years for the amenities, which were promised when they moved into their homes.

Do you have a story about Costessey for the Evening News? Contact reporter Tom Bristow on 01603772313 or email tom.bristow@archant.co.uk