More than 110 affordable homes will be built in Mid Suffolk – including 62 in Stowmarket – after planning permission was approved.

The news gives a major boost to the number of affordable homes, provided with rents lower than the standard market value, in the district.

Woolpit is where 29 of the homes will be built, with a further 22 in Haughley.

A total of £60,000 has been set aside for primary schools in Stowmarket and £4,000 for Haughley Village Hall, as part of the conditions for the proposal’s approval. Kathie Guthrie is chairman of the Mid Suffolk District Council planning committee which approved the proposals.

She said: “The approval of these schemes demonstrates commitment by Mid Suffolk District Council and ward members to build high-quality, affordable homes for the people of Mid Suffolk.”

The Stowmarket development, in the St Mary’s Road area, will see 42 homes and 10 garages demolished to make way for the new properties. There will also be redevelopment of five roads in the area.

The proposal was approved unanimously, with the area’s district councillor, Poppy Robinson, fully endorsing it.

For land at Steeles Road, Woolpit, 16 properties will be replaced with 31 homes, two of which will be in private ownership. This was again unanimously agreed.

Ray Melvin, a Woolpit district councillor, said: “I know the area well having lived previously in Woolpit for 15 years. These properties have needed updating for many years.

“I am sure that Orbit (the housing developer) will ensure the dwellings are good-quality and energy-efficient. Their design is in keeping with the current ongoing redevelopment of the first phase of this upgrade.”

A total of 16 homes will be demolished in Bixley Avenue, Haughley, and replaced with 24 homes – 22 of these will be affordable with two for the private sector. All proposals were approved subject to successful Section 106 agreements – money set aside for infrastructure.