Derelict former school buildings on a town 'eyesore' could be demolished for innovative homes.

Sheringham-based Norfolk Homes has applied for full planning permission to knock down the remains of Hilbre School on Holway Road in the town, pictured, for 32 new houses and flats, roads and open space.

The application has been submitted to North Norfolk District Council's development committee and the public consultation finishes on February 6.

If approved, one-to-five bedroomed properties would be built on the school land which is currently scrubland.

Roads to the 1.18h development would be off Holway Road and Snaefell Park, a footpath would be built between those two roads and up to 45pc of the homes would be affordable. A design and access statement for the plans read: 'This is a long-awaited development on a derelict site, which is presently an eyesore on the main approach road into Sheringham.'

The land was previously owned by Tesco and outline planning permission for development was granted in April 2008. This permission was renewed in June 2013, before Norfolk Homes bought the site. Alan Presslee, planning consultant and director of Cornerstone Planning, said: 'The homes are not going to be conventional rectangular brick houses. The architects have gone for something more interesting. The homes have nods to local designs but are quite modern and innovative.'

Norfolk Homes consulted with residents and the town council about the plans last summer and there were concerns about the Snaefell Park access.

Peter Strudwick, chairman of the Sheringham Society, said the proposal did not look bad but added there was a problem about the town losing open space to development.

To comment on the plans search PF/15/0001 on www.northnorfolk.org/planning.

Do you know of a former public building which is being turned into housing? Email sophie.wyllie@archant.co.uk