The Gazette reveals the artist’s impression for the proposed development on Mole Man’s former home.

A planning application to demolish the dilapidated house of notorious tunneller William Lyttle, and build a block of flats in the Kingsland conservation area was lodged with Hackney Council last week.

The eccentric oddball gained worldwide fame after he spent 40 years digging a 60-foot network of tunnels beneath his �1 million house in Mortimer Road.

Before the operation to salvage Mr Lyttle’s home by pouring concrete into the tunnels, workmen had to remove skip-loads of accumulated junk, including the rusty wrecks of four Renault 4 cars, a boat, scrap metal, old baths, disused fridge freezers and old TV sets.

He died in June aged 79, owing over �400,000 to the council, who saved the building from collapse.

Andrew Fraser - who claims to be acting as administrator for Mr Lyttle’s relatives – lodged a planning application with the council last week to demolish the dilapidated unsafe building and build a four-storey block of eight two-bedroom flats.

Members of the public have until October 25 to comment on the application.

Planning application number 2010/2137 can be viewed on www.hackney.gov.uk