Forty affordable homes are to be built in Wells.

Victory Housing Trust has signed a contract with Hopkins Homes to build the houses on Market Lane.

The development is part of the plans for 123 homes, which were granted planning permission in March last year.

While the desperate need for affordable housing in Wells is widely recognised, there were concerns about access points off Market Lane, potential road safety and that the proposed traffic and drainage systems would be inadequate.

But Wells town councillor Mike Gates welcomed the news. He said: 'There have been a few issues but the Highways Authority and Anglian Water have said they are satisfied with everything and we have to take their word on that.

'We have not had any new affordable housing in Wells for many years.

'With the amount of second homes in Wells now, affordable housing is a huge problem in the town so this is really good news.'

Victory Housing Trust will invest more than £3 million to build the homes.

There will be one and two-bed flats, two, three and four-bed houses, and two, two-bed bungalows, all available.

The first homes will be handed over towards the end of 2015, with all 40 completed by the end of 2017.

Victory Housing Trust's chairman Clare Barter said: 'This is a very big investment indeed, representing the single biggest development of new affordable homes in the coastal strip of north Norfolk in modern times.'

Are you involved in an affordable housing project? Email newsdesk@archant.co.uk