Proposals for 39 new homes have been submitted for land in the centre of Kirton – bringing new jobs and much-needed affordable housing for the village.

Taylor Wimpey East Anglia is seeking consent for the development at the B&M Concrete site, off Falkenham Road.

As part of the project, B&M Concrete secured planning permission to move to a new site immediately south of its current premises, enabling it to continue its operations in the village and freeing the land for potential housing development.

Suffolk Coastal council planning officers are currently analysing the detail of the homes project – and public consultation is under way.

Taylor Wimpey says the project, which will include 13 affordable one-bed and two-bed properties, will bring 62 construction jobs for each year it takes to build, and create 93 jobs in the supply chain.

The company reckons new residents will spend £864,000 a year to help the area’s economy, and it will bring Suffolk Coastal £40,755 in extra council tax and £271,000 in New Homes Bonus payments.

Taylor Wimpey said: “The proposed development would create a high quality residential development reflective of local character traits on land situated immediately adjacent to the settlement edge of Kirton.

“The development would change a partial brownfield site currently used commercially into a residential development which is considered a positive beneficial effect.”

Some trees will have to be felled, though these are described as amenity trees and of low value – and new trees will be planted in gardens and landscaping in more public areas.

Traffic and how the development will fit into the flat, open landscape are two of the key issues which councillors and planning officers will need to consider.

The company said: “The introduction of tree planting through the proposed development will assist in reducing the visual effect over time.

“It’s considered overall the proposed development provides the opportunity to improve a poor quality, commercial brownfield site, in close proximity to the village, through an appropriate high quality village settlement extension that provides positive beneficial effects to the landscape and visual amenity.”