RESIDENTS have been assured they will be consulted over any changes to a 35-property social housing scheme aimed at easing the homelessness crisis in Woodbridge.

RESIDENTS have been assured they will be consulted over any changes to a 35-property social housing scheme aimed at easing the homelessness crisis in Woodbridge.

Suffolk Heritage Housing Association, a member of Flagship Housing Group, submitted a planning application last year for a development of rented houses and flats off Haugh Lane to offset the ''dire housing need'' within the town.

The district council visited the one-hectare site last summer but since then a decision has not been taken on the project while the results of various surveys on the chosen land have been undertaken.

Paula Armenis, head of marketing at Flagship Housing, said: ''The original plan remains unchanged. However, we have submitted a 'Drainage Strategy' as requested by the planners as to how we intend to deal with drainage.

''We are of the understanding that this submission should be with the planners within the next couple of days.''

Lena Taylor, chairman of Residents Against Haugh Lane Development Association, said: ''The most recent things that we have seen were wildlife and tree reports and we have commented back on those, particularly the tree report which we were very unhappy with.''

David Harrison, assistant director of investments at the Housing Corporation, has visited the site. ''Mr Harrison has since written to us confirming that Suffolk Heritage must ensure the scheme meets the Housing Corporation's criteria on sustainability and they must also have taken due note of the views of local residents,'' said the Haugh Wood Newsletter published by the action group.

A district council spokesman said: ''We are still waiting for further information from the applicants and as soon as we have received that information we should be reconsulting with residents.''

The scheme could cost in the region of £3million and the Housing Corporation has given £1.46million towards the project.

Social housing is provided for people who cannot afford a mortage and have to rent a property. Only people on the Suffolk Coastal housing register will be eligible to rent one of the new properties if they are built.

richard.smith@eadt.co.uk