A NEW town development will provide more than 90 new homes at a former manufacturing site after the proposals received planning permission.

The old Unilever factory in High Street, Needham Market, will be demolished and redeveloped for housing and new facilities.

The proposals for the 1.8 hectare site includes the factory and The Croft and 20 High Street, a former maltings.

The homes will include one and two bedroom flats as well as two and three bedroom homes.

Wendy Marchant, a Mid Suffolk District councillor for the town said: “It’s going to be a very attractive development and Taylor Wimpey is handing over the car park area to the town council so we will still have a car park in the street.

“There’s going to be affordable homes and I understand the homes are selling like hot cakes.

“The town council has been very much involved by the developer on the plans for about 12 months or more.

“The affordable housing will provided much-needed accommodation for families.

“The show house should be open soon and it was important to get the design right.”

The maltings will be converted into two commercial units and the overall proposals will mean about 10% of the homes will be for affordable housing.

The Croft will be converted into four apartments.

A town square will be created for the new development and will feature open green spaces.

The developer has also said art could be displayed in the area as a focal point.

A historical report details the significance of the site with The Croft dating back to the early 17th century and being Grade-II listed. The former maltings, 20 High Street, was built in the 18th century.

The existing car park will be maintained at the site providing 22 spaces.

A development brief had been prepared in 2006 about the site’s development.

Mid Suffolk District Council has given the plans the green light and expects work to begin at the site within six months.