AN eyesore site which was once set to become a controversial Tesco Express look set to finally be tidied up and turned into homes.

Plans have been submitted to Colchester Council for nine houses at the former Cherry Tree Garage on Blackheath, Colchester.

The supermarket giant had been granted permission in July 2009 to build a store on the site, along with 13 homes, by a Government planning inspector, after the scheme had been thrown out by the council.

But last year Tesco announced the idea had been scrapped as apart of a company-wide costcutting drive.

Colchester councillor for the area Dave Harris (Lab), said he hoped it would put an end to the long-running saga.

Mr Harris said: “I am pleased because this has been going on for several years now.

“I have been and spoken to residents about the scheme and they are over the moon because it does look a bit of an eyesore with the blue hoardings which are up now protecting the site.

“If you look at the designs they are very much in keeping with the other homes in Blackheath which is what we have wanted all along.

“I will have to look into the plans a bit more with my other ward colleagues but on the face of it, the early indications are it is very positive.”

When plans were first submitted for the Tesco scheme in 2008, more than 700 residents signed a petition against the store fearing it would attract too much traffic and there would be insufficient parking for the homes.

After the appeal was won in 2009, little progress was made on the site despite contractors clearing the area to seemingly allow building work to begin.

Nearby residents have been forced to tidy up the hoardings when they have fallen down or been damaged.

The new scheme features two three bedroom houses and seven four bedroom homes and is designed to provide “high-quality, modern accommodation” according to a planning statement.

The developer had originally been discussing a ten house site with Colchester Council but reduced the number after concerns about parking and the size of the homes were raised.

A decision on the new plans is expected to be made by the end of January.