Plans to build more than 20 affordable homes in a Suffolk village will help to meet the area's need for new, low cost housing, those behind the project have said.
Last month, Waveney District Council conditionally approved a project for 23 properties for Green Lane, opposite Windsor Road, in Reydon.
Work is expected to start on the project early next year – and the homes are to be offered to local people, who had raised fears that youngsters in particular were being priced out of living in Southwold and Reydon by the demand for second homes.
The scheme is being designed by East Anglian-based property and construction consultancy Ingleton Wood on behalf of Orbit Homes. It will include a mix of one bed flats and two, three and four-bedroom homes, including four bungalows.
The development was given the go ahead last month and building work could start as early as the beginning of next year.
Lisa Davis, Orbit Homes Regional Development Officer, said the properties will be offered to people who are local to Reydon and Southwold in the first instance. She said: 'It was clear from the public consultation that these homes would benefit local residents. The worry for them was that the younger generation in Southwold and Reydon were being priced out of the area by second home owners.
'We want to ensure that the local connection remains in force. In particular, we were extremely pleased to receive the backing of the parish council and are thankful for their support.
'We have already received a lot of interest from people who would like to live on the development.'
Alexandra Powell, architectural assistant at Ingleton Wood, said: 'We're delighted to have played a major role in a development which stands to bring such positive benefits to Reydon and the surrounding area.
'The elevational design will be quite traditional, with brickwork and pitched, tiled roofs, which will be sensitive to the surrounding landscape. It's a relatively low-density development and all plots benefit from generous gardens. We were also keen to ensure that there is sufficient onsite parking, as well as additional space for visitors.'
Although some concerns had been raised over the plans, Reydon Parish Council supported the application given there is a need for more affordable housing in the area.
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