Work on a controversial housing scheme in the heart of Ormesby looks set to start soon, say the developers.The project to turn the Royal Oak pub into homes and fit 10 more homes on the site has been going through the planning process for almost three years.

Work on a controversial housing scheme in the heart of Ormesby looks set to start soon, say the developers.

The project to turn the Royal Oak pub into homes and fit 10 more homes on the site has been going through the planning process for almost three years.

This week, the borough council gave its owners a four-week deadline to tidy up the scruffy site, saying the village was being adversely affected by the condition of the land.

But, subject to the latest revised plans being approved, Daniel Cripps, managing director of Beccles-based Cripps Developments, said this week he hoped to get on site within four weeks for a 12-month building job that would give the village “something quite beautiful”.

An earlier housing plan on the derelict site was approved on appeal in April 2008 despite local protests and concerns ranging from over-development to loss of character and drainage problems.

The new proposal sees changes to the site layout and one home being taken off a rear terrace, bringing the total number on the site to 15.

Geoff Freeman, of the parish council, said members were pleased about the cut in the number of homes but still had concerns about access and parking and the effect on the locality. He added: “If the site is going to be started on we are very pleased, because it is an eyesore. But it will mark the end of a sorry chapter because it's not what we wanted to happen to the Royal Oak site.”

At an earlier meeting to discuss the plans, villagers said they accepted residential use was the only option for the former local, which despite being advertised in the pub trade press had failed to attract an operator. But they were not prepared to accept second best for the prominent site.

Mr Cripps said the new changes were minor but constituted a better design, adding: “We did start but then we stopped because we had to appeal.”

Peter Warner, Great Yarmouth Borough Council's head of planning and development, said it was too early to comment on the plans, which were under appraisal. He added that the council could only ask for a basic tidy-up.