Carrow Hill House in Norwich to be converted into homes

The grade II listed Carrow Hill House will be restored "from disrepair to its former grandeur" after the city council gave the green light to turn the site into two large semi-detached villas.

Norfolk-based property developer Ilex Homes has designed each home to be three storeys in height, with a kitchen, dining and living room on the ground floor.

The first floor would feature three bedrooms, a balcony and a bathroom - while plans for the second floor include a fourth bedroom, a bathroom and loft storage.

The site has been targeted by vandals in recent years (Image: Newsquest)

Changes to the building would include the alteration of doors, windows and chimneys.

An extension would also be built on the north elevation of the site.

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Planning documents submitted by Ilex claim all physical changes to the site will be sensitive to its historical importance.

The building has become derelict since it was last used as a hostel for rehabilitation and support for the homeless in 2013.

An artist's impression of the villas (Image: Ensemble Architecture)

Formerly known as The Wilderness, the building is surrounded by trees and stands alongside Black Tower and some remains of the city walls.

It has been repeatedly targeted by vandals, with windows being smashed in and graffiti sprayed on the exterior. 

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This vandalism has resulted in water damage to the building. 

An aerial view of Carrow Hill House, alongside Black Tower and some remains of the city walls (Image: Google Maps)

A statement issued by Ilex told the city council's planning committee: "This application represents an exciting opportunity to dramatically transform this dilapidated building into homes that are fit for 21st century living.

"It has the potential to be a bold example of how our most precious historic building stock can be upgraded and preserved for the appreciation of future generations and record of our history."