Plans to transform the site of Norwich's former Earl of Leicester pub into nine swanky new homes have been revealed.

The grounds of the 19th-century pub in Dereham Road, which was demolished in 2005, have spent the past 17 years as an overgrown, fenced-off eyesore.

Just five days ago Norwich City Council was considering a compulsory purchase of the site but now the land will be developed by Quietwater Estates.

Norwich Evening News:

The property developer plans to build a couple of two-bedroom homes, four three-bedroom homes and three two-bedroom flats.

It also aims to add seven car parking spaces and 18 cycle spaces along with a new bin store.

Steve Walker, who lives in Bowthorpe Road near the site said it was vital something was done with the site.

Mr Walker, who is originally from Leicester, said: "It is a real eyesore, it needs to have something done.

"The only thing that needs to be sorted is the parking as it's already a nightmare down here, I get that there's some parking involved but if they're students they'll all have a car each.

"I am glad they're doing something with it because people keep dumping stuff on there."

Norwich Evening News:

His son, Sam Walker, shared his dad's concerns about parking.

He added: "I'm pretty sure there will be access issues, it's bad enough as it is without more cars parking on it.

"I think perhaps they might have to introduce permits if it happens."

Green Norwich City councillor for Nelson Ward, Denise Carlo, said she thought the parking issue would be resolved by on-site spaces but added she hoped homes would be as eco-friendly as possible.

Norwich Evening News:

She said: "It has always been earmarked for homes and people don't have access to the site at the moment so it's good to see something being done.

"I don't think it'll make any difference to the parking issue, those spaces provided on-site will be sufficient.

"I hope there is as much green land in the design as possible and that the homes are built to the highest environmental standards.

"If not they'll only have to be retrofitted which will of course cost the owners."

During its lifetime, the Earl of Leicester survived a Luftwaffe bombing raid and even starred in an episode of ITV's Tales of the Unexpected.