Revised plans have been submitted in the hope that development at a site which has been derelict for almost two decades can finally move forward.

The proposals, off the back of plans lodged in November 2022, focus on the reduced number of houses and the project's overall scale.

With the site split into four areas - Pinebanks, Langley North, Langley South and Griffin Lane - the number of houses has been reduced from 725 to 550 with 260, 90, 70 and 130 dwellings respectively.

However this is still a 52pc increase on the 2013 figures, after the introduction of Langley North homes.

The original Pinebanks plansThe original Pinebanks plans (Image: Pinebanks proposals)

In Langley South the boundary was reduced to "exclude an area of adopted highway and third party land" as well as a reduced boundary at Griffin Lane.

Ian Mackie, Thorpe St Andrew county councillor, had been part of those campaigning for reduced housing numbers as well as the protection and restoration of the nearby woods.

He said: "There is still a concern to the local community and existing infrastructure because the number of homes is still considerably higher than the agreed plans in 2013.

"There's also a marked increase in traffic to the north of the site with the addition of Langley North.

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"However I'm delighted the Langley South plans remove some of the apartment blocks that were totally out of keeping with the conservation area.

County councillor for Thorpe St Andrew, Ian Mackie, said there is widespread acceptance houses will be builtCounty councillor for Thorpe St Andrew, Ian Mackie, said there is widespread acceptance that houses will be built (Image: Ian Mackie)

"There is widespread acceptance that houses will be built, the question is when, as this sword has hung over the area for far too long."

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The Pinebanks site includes the former sports centre, which has been unused since 2008 and was sold by former owners, Aviva, in 2009.

Although Broadland District Council approved plans to redevelop the land, there were concerns about the number of houses being built and damage to heritage sites.

The application's consultation period ends on July 25.

The Pinebanks site was formerly owned by Aviva before it was sold in 2009The Pinebanks site was formerly owned by Aviva before it was sold in 2009 (Image: Newsquest)

The 16-year Pinebanks saga

The site of the former Norwich Union Sports and Social Club was sold by Aviva in 2009 after the club's closure a year earlier.

Plans to redevelop the disused site were then put forward in 2013 for 725 homes.

However, an illegal rave was held at the site in November 2013 and a major fire burned down much of the site's main building in July 2014, which was built in 1880. 

In January, hundreds of protestors clad with placards marched from Broadland District Council's offices in Yarmouth Road, Thorpe St Andrew to Henby Way - which backs onto the Pinebanks site - against the development.

The Pinebanks fire in July 2014The Pinebanks fire in July 2014 (Image: Newsquest)

The plans for the Pinebanks, Langley North, Langley South and Griffin Lane sites were submitted in early 2022 when development firm Ocubis outlined its vision to build 575 homes.

New plans were put forward at the end of 2022 reducing the proposed number of homes to 555.

Now the revised plans include a project to provide a "long-term sustainable future" for eight hectares of ancient woodland and an ice age pit and a further reduction of homes, to 550.