Approval has been given for more than 20 affordable homes in a Suffolk village to help meet the area’s need for new, low cost housing.

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.

Waveney District Council has conditionally approved the 23 properties for Green Lane, opposite Windsor Road, in Reydon.

The scheme was 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.

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.”

Reydon Parish Council recommended approval for the homes providing concerns over access to the site and parking could be overcome. The council also wanted assurances that the sewage infrastructure will be sufficient and any upgrade necessary would be put in place.