Artists’ impressions of a new housing development in east Suffolk have been produced taking inspiration from the site’s historical background.

Hopkins Homes announced this month its intention to begin work at the Station Road development in Framlingham after a protracted period of negotiations over the removal of affordable homes.

The developers have now produced the first images of how they intend to regenerate the site, which has been vacant since 2009, and transform it into a “new gateway” for the town.

The street scene has been inspired by the town’s former railway station and engine sheds on the old factory site in a bid to reflect its Victorian history.

Simon Bryan, development director for Hopkins Homes, said: “We wanted to try to retain the influences of the previous use and respect the history of the site. The homes will be predominantly red brick and some of the detailing of the façade along the gateway into town picks up the concept of the recessed brick panels of the old engine sheds.”

Outline planning permissions has already been given for 140 homes on the brownfield site, but Hopkins Homes, has reduced this to 100, along with about 240 parking spaces.

The company said this reduction was to comply with “up to date parking standards, density requirements and other planning amenity standards”.

The details for the new development will be submitted to Suffolk Coastal District Council shortly, incorporating a mix of one, two, three and four-bed homes.

Community leaders in the town have previously expressed disappointment that affordable housing had been removed from the development, due to financial issues surrounding site contamination, but they generally welcomed progress on what has been called an “eyesore”.

Mr Bryan said: “It was important to us to remove the uncertainty around the future of the site, which has been a topic for much discussion and debate over the years. We want to enhance and create an attractive entrance to the town.

“We have reduced the number of homes on the site and, although there is no provision for affordable homes, there is an excellent range of property types and sizes including many suitable for first-time buyers at the lower end of the market price.”

Hopkins Homes has also committed to a package of about £400,000 towards adult sports provision, education, and transport.