An Earlham pensioner has complained that he was not kept informed over plans to demolish his garage to build new homes.

An Earlham pensioner has complained that he was not kept informed over plans to demolish his garage to build new homes.

Robert Hurrell, of Pippin Green, claims Norwich City Council did not tell him of potential plans to knock down his garage on The Avenues, despite being a tenant for more than 30 years.

There are plans for the 47 garages on the site to be transformed into six affordable homes as part of a strategic partnership arrangement between Norwich City Council and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

The 72-year-old retired Jarrold's printing worker said: 'It is scandalous. So far I have heard nothing but rumours about the garages being knocked down. If they are coming down I would like to be notified so I can write a letter to object. I've had this garage for 32 years. It keeps my car off the road and my insurance is a lot cheaper because of it.'

The partnership struck up between Norwich City Council and the HCA ensures �8m is invested in the city, with projects such as the Memorial Gardens near St Peters Street and the Norwich skate park at Eaton Park benefiting from the cash.

And as part of the arrangement the council is committed to delivering 100 new affordable homes throughout Norwich to meet demand for social housing.

Orwell Housing submitted the plans to develop six new homes on The Avenues site, which holds 47 garages, 29 of which are in use.

Another couple, who did not want to be named, who have been garage tenants at The Avenues for decades, also said that communication from the council has been poor.

But the council says that garage tenants and residents were written to and invited to a consultation event at Eaton Park Community Centre on November 16. A spokesman said: 'While the formal planning consultation period has ended, any comments received ahead of the committee hearing, planned for February 10, will be registered.

'We will contact our garage tenants and neighbouring residents when a decision has been made and to help them find new garages.'

Twelve other city garage sites are in line for development: Bates Green, Berners Street, Bowers Avenue, Friends Road, Jamieson Place, Lakenham Road, Peckover Road, Pelham Road, Randle Green, Sleaford Green, Vale Green and Piling Park Road.

Do you have a story about a new housing development? Contact Ben Woods on 01603 772439 or email ben.woods@archant.co.uk