The flats that form part of the troubled Earlham House complex in Norwich are to be auctioned tomorrow (Monday) – and people living and working there are hoping the new buyer will make positive improvements to them.

As previously reported, Earlham House, which is a mix of flats and shop units in Earlham Road, has been the subject of much frustration with long-running battles over the car park and court action over insufficiently heated flats.

The site's flats and shops have different ownership and on Monday the flats will go under the hammer at a Savills auction in London.

The new buyer must abide by Norwich City Council improvement notices served on a previous owner and which ordered heating and insulation issues to be addressed.

The flats have a guide price starting at �950,000 and literature from Savills says in Earlham House there are 84 flats -– 32 which are let, 28 which are vacant, and 24 which are sold on long leases.

Gloria Wilson has lived in Earlham House since 1983 and said when she first moved in there was a waiting list.

She said: 'It has been for sale so many times.

'It is very sad it has got to the state it is in. We just need somebody to clear the place up.'

Many of the businesses hope the flats' new owners will invest in the appearance of the flats and provide a boost to the area, and they also want issues like the guttering and downpipes dealt with.

Martin Baker, who runs the Post Office and Family Care, said: 'Hopefully the new owner will do something positive. I welcome the auction as long as the right people buy the flats for the right reasons.'

Richard Bray, of RJ Bray Butchers, said: 'It (Earlham House) just needs a complete face-lift and for somebody hopefully to put a fairly large investment in the centre.'

Claire Stephenson, a Nelson ward councillor, said: 'I would really like to see Earlham House bought by somebody who is going to look after the property and make it into an asset for local people.'