ROUND two of a planning battle began this week when a renewed bid was submitted for a housing development in a historic part of Gorleston. An application was lodged this week for a pair of semi-detached houses on the small Riverside Road site opposite Darby's Hard.

ROUND two of a planning battle began this week when a renewed bid was submitted for a housing development in a historic part of Gorleston.

An application was lodged this week for a pair of semi-detached houses on the small Riverside Road site opposite Darby's Hard.

A previous scheme for three new houses was withdrawn last September following a determined protest campaign by local residents.

The latest plan by Leicestershire based company Parade Court has been lodged with Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

Steve Grimmer fears his 17th century home in the High Street will be blighted and panoramic views along the River Yare spoilt if houses are built on the site.

He said: “I suspected there was going to be another application, but had hoped the site might have been saved from development.

“At the moment there is a magnificent view along the river which will be ruined if these homes are built.

“I love sitting out on the patio on a summer's evening and watching the boats go past, but soon I could be staring at roof tiles.

“There was a sickening feeling in my stomach when I found out the plans had gone in again. It is difficult to think about anything else at the moment even though I have a buisness to run. Having two modern homes crammed into this small site in a heritage area would be totally out of character.”

“Riverside Road is a major flood risk and is covered by the spring tide two or three times a year and is not suitable for this sort of development.”

Described as two storey bungalows, the homes would be built on elevated sections with car parking spaces provided on the Riverside Road slipway.

Furniture maker Mr Grimmer, 54, has lived in the house for 14 years, which was once a pub known as the Rising Sun.

Now he is hoping to enlist the support of neighbours and Gorleston residents once again to stop the development.

Borough council head of planning and development Peter Warner said: “We cannot comment on the application until the consultation period is complete. We have to take into account the views of all the relevant agencies and local people.

“It is too early to say if it will be dealt with in committee or a planning officer - it depends on the number of objections.” No-one was available to comment from the developers at the time of going to press.