A long-standing eyesore site in the NR3 area could finally be brought back to life amid worries about "land banking".

The site of the former 19th century lime kiln in Drayton Road, opposite Lime Kiln Mews, has been derelict for almost 20 years and a councillor fears its owner is holding on to the land in the hope its value will rise.

Labour city councillor Jacob Huntley said the site had been the subject of a number of failed planning applications and had become a popular area for fly-tipping due to easy access.

Norwich Evening News:

Now Norwich City Council is planning a compulsory purchase (CPO) of the site, which was first considered in December last year, with a report to the council saying a CPO would be needed "if necessary" to get the site developed.

The authority made an offer to purchase the site in August 2022 but it was rejected. The sum of its offer was not made public.

Mr Huntley said: "It's now being considered for a council purchase using the revolving fund.

Norwich Evening News:

"It's got to the point where something really needs to be done.

"I think whatever would be done with it would probably involve some social housing.

"This is a long-standing issue, I've had to report fly-tipping there a number of times to get the owner to do something.

"It's land banking, they're holding on to it hoping the value will go up."

The site has been untouched since 2006, although housing has been built around it, and Mr Huntley says the land historically has contamination issues which would need to be dealt with if the land was acquired.

Research in 1994 before a car park was built in the area, found the site was used for extensive quarrying in the 1800s and was possibly used as a cremation cemetery in Roman times. 

The last known owner of the land has been contacted for comment.