A scheme to build 13 homes on an old factory site has been revived, just months after it was thrown out over flooding concerns.

The developer hopes to convert the former Florida Group building in Bells Marsh Road, Gorleston to residential use.

The previous bid to build the same numbers of houses on the site was thrown out by Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s planning committee in September because of the flood risk.

MORE: Planning application for 13 new homes on Bells Marsh Road in Gorleston rejectedNow developers have proposed building homes three floors high, instead of just two, with the ground floor comprising of parking, a loo and utility room, to mitigate the potential of water getting inside from the river.

The buildings would be set one foot (0.3m) higher than the current ground level and the first floor would be almost 15 foot (4.5m) above sea level, providing safe refuge from even a one in 200 year flood event in the context of sea level rises from climate change.

The access point for the site would still be Riverside Road, which proved a point of contention last time plans were submitted, where developer Conservative councillor for Yarmouth North Paul Hammond.

The proposals lodged by the West Caister resident faced six separate objections from neighbours.

After consultation with council planners, earlier proposals for a block flats was amended to a homes plan instead.

The site has been disused for five years and despite being marketed by estate agents for industrial use, but no offers came through for such a use and the land was bought with a view to converting it to homes.

The planned layout for the site consists of two rows of three-bedroom terraced homes and three detached houses.

Bells Marsh Road runs between Baker Street and Pier Walk and comprises of a mix of homes and industrial premises to the north.

A total of 38 parking spaces would be provided at the nearly 24,000 sq. feet (about 2,100 sq. metre) site, seven more than the previous scheme, where the issue of a lack of visitor parking was raised at a planning meeting.

The terraces would be built with red bricks and concrete roof slates and white uPVC windows and doors.

A decision on whether to approve the scheme will be made by the end of the year and neighbours can submit their views to the borough council.