Plans to demolish almost 120 garages in Norwich will be discussed by councillors this week.

As reported in the Evening News, Norwich City Council has earmarked 965 garages to be bulldozed so housing associations can build affordable homes.

The council says more than a third of the 4,368 garages it owns around Norwich are empty and at a time when the city's population is growing, it makes sense for them to make way for new homes.

As part of a multi-million pound deal with the Homes and Communities Agency, the council is selling the sites to Orwell Housing Association to build affordable homes.

At a meeting of the city council's planning committee on Thursday, councillors will be asked to make a decision over the fate of three sets of garages in Mile Cross.

The proposals are for 75 garages in Bowers Avenue to be demolished to make way for seven houses and eight flats; for five houses and three flats to replace 28 garages in Sleaford Green; and for 16 garages in Vale Green to be knocked down so two houses and six flats can be built.

Officers are recommending members of the committee approve the plans.

Civic watchdog The Norwich Society has backed the move, with a spokesman stating: 'Because the ratio of garages occupied is low it seems sensible to use the land for housing.

'As a committee, we generally approve of the designs, though they are safe without much inspiration on the whole.'