A developer has been given the green-light to plan the future of an key piece of land in Wymondham.

South Norfolk Council's development management committee has granted outline planning permission to Surrey-based Mountleigh Development Holdings for the 4.1 acre site bound by Cemetery Lane and Station Road, just north of the town's railway station.

The firm has lodged two previous applications for the site - in 2002 and 2009 - but both were refused.

However, unlike those attempts, this application does not include a bid to build commercial space.

The firm will have to lodge a further 'reserved matters' application with the council when it comes up with a more detailed plan, which will cover housing, associated access, parking and public open space.

It would include an 8m-wide natural 'habitable buffer' and walking path on the norther border of the site, along the River Tiffey.

Joe Mooney, committee member and Wymondham resident, said he hoped a reserved matters application would be submitted soon.

He said: 'I'm pleased to see this scheme and I will be supporting it. It has been lying vacant for many years and the people of Wymondham expect to see something fairly soon.

Barry Duffin, also on the committee, said: 'This site has stood empty for so long and it is an absolute eyesore on the outskirts of Wymondham and the sooner it gets developed the better.'