Ambitious multi-million pound plans to transform a former RAF base into an eco-friendly village have taken a step forward with a raft of new planning applications.

Ambitious multi-million pound plans to transform a former RAF base into an eco-friendly village have taken a step forward with a raft of new planning applications.

Developer Roger Gawn, who bought the 160-acre old RAF West Raynham base in October last year and immediately revealed plans to bring the decaying homes and properties back into use, has been quick to put his plans into reality.

Already he has refurbished former married quarters and these have been sold to local people with the first new owners due to move in during the next few weeks.

Now Mr Gawn's company, Tamarix Investments, has submitted a raft of planning applications to North Norfolk District Council covering various elements of the scheme.

A change of use application will see the old community centre become a site office and sales centre. Barrack block 101 will become temporary housing for site construction workers.

The old building 28 on the site will become a shop.

A further application covers the conversion of four former giant hangars into 20 loft-style first floor holiday apartments with storage and garaging on the ground floor.

The company is seeking planning approval for 58 new homes which will be built on space near existing married quarters and officers' homes.

Change of use permission is being sought for a range of former RAF buildings, including a community centre, crèche, health care clinic, aviation museum and church.

The old RAF base had stood desolate and falling into decay for more than a decade when Mr Gawn, a Norfolk property developer who owns the historic Custom House at King's Lynn, bought it in a multi-million pound deal.

He immediately got a clear-up under way using a team of mainly Eastern European workers and within weeks put former married quarter homes onto the open market with prices as low as £119,950 for a two-bed semi-detached home with a garden and garages. The first owners are due to take possession in the next few weeks.

Mr Gawn has explained his plans to bring the base back into life as a sustained eco-village to neighbouring parish councils and a public consultation talk at the actual base.

The planning applications are due to go before North Norfolk planners in May.