An historic south Norfolk pub that has been shut for more than two years has been put on the market as part of its owner's plans to refurbish the listed building.

An historic south Norfolk pub that has been shut for more than two years has been put on the market as part of its owner's plans to refurbish the listed building.

The King's Head in Pulham St Mary ceased trading in December 2007 after the 12th century inn was closed for urgent maintenance work.

Now the landlord of the village's only pub has put the leasehold of the hostelry up for sale in his latest bid to create housing at the rear of the site.

Graham Scott, who has already had three planning applications rejected for homes at the King's Head, in The Street, has put the freehouse on the market for �225,000 on a 125-year long lease.

If the 900-year-old timber framed building fails to get a buyer, the owner will look to submit a planning application for about six homes at the rear of the pub.

Mr Scott said that a redevelopment of the site was the most viable solution to refurbishing and reopening the inn in the centre of Pulham St Mary.

'I have 182 signatures from villagers who say they want the pub reopen and understand that the only way to reopen it is by enabling development of some quality dwellings in order to fund the cost of the work. It is in major structural decay and it needed urgent work in October 2008. It will fall down,' he said.

Mr Scott added that it was English Heritage guidance to put the Grade II listed building on the market for six months before making the 'enabling development' application to fund the refurbishment.

'If someone wants to buy it in its current condition and they are willing and able to proceed at the asking price then it would be considered,' he added.

Mr Scott said he would aim to submit a planning application to South Norfolk Council in the late summer/autumn, if the pub did not sell.

UK Pub Sales is handling the sale of the leasehold of the pub, restaurant, with three private bedrooms, car park, and outbuildings.

Plans to convert part of the King's Head for housing have been rejected by South Norfolk Council on three occasions, which was also upheld by a planning inspector after an appeal.