A new supermarket could finally be built on a derelict site in north Norwich, more than five years after proposals were first put forward.

Eastern Daily Press: The derelict wasteland behind Hair Affair on Sprowston Road where Aldi hope to build a store. Picture: Denise BradleyThe derelict wasteland behind Hair Affair on Sprowston Road where Aldi hope to build a store. Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Archant)

Aldi has submitted plans for a new multi-million pound food store and residential development on the site in Sprowston Road.

The store would create about 30 new jobs, says the company, and Aldi, which already has stores in Plumstead Road and Larkman Lane, hopes to open later this year.

The proposals include a 72-space shared shopper car park which will be made available to shoppers visiting other stores in the area.

Last November, Aldi sent leaflets and questionnaires to more than 780 home around the site in Sprowston Road and 93pc of respondents supported the proposals.

The points raised in the questionnaires have been taken on board in the new application, an Aldi spokesman said, including the provision of employment opportunities for local people, and Aldi hopes to start the recruitment process as soon as possible.

Aldi property director Adam Ward said: 'The success of our other stores in Plumstead Road and Larkman Lane is proof of our commitment to Norwich and our desire to benefit the whole city.

'We are confident that a new store in Sprowston Road will have the same positive impact on this prominent local site in the northern area of the city. The site already benefits from a live planning permission and the only change is to reduce the size of the store slightly and reduce the housing element in order to make the development viable in the current economic climate.

'We are also very pleased to be able to create new jobs in Norwich and we will commit to ensuring that as many staff as possible are employed from the local area.'

The site, once a petrol station, has been an eyesore for many years.

david.bale2@archant.co.uk