Plans to build 51 homes in Cockfield, west Suffolk, have been given the go-ahead by planners.

Suffolk County Council had lodged an application with Babergh District Council to develop land it owns off Mackenzie Place in October.

The mixed development plans consisted of full planning permission for 42 homes and outline for nine self-build plots.

Babergh District Council’s planning committee met on this morning, where the proposals were given the go ahead.

Peter Beer, chairman of Babergh District Council’s planning committee, said: “This was a complex application, involving both outline and full planning permissions and new buildings alongside self-build plots, and the committee gave it careful consideration.

“We were all impressed by the community’s support for the application, their engagement with the various agencies involved in bringing forward this scheme and the forward thinking attitudes towards self-build housing provision in particular.

“On balance, the committee felt that the economic and social benefits for Cockfield, as well as the local need for housing, made this an application we were happy to approve.”

The development proposals feature a number of different builds, including 12 affordable renting homes, six affordable shared ownership properties, five homes for first time buyers, five bungalows for those wanting to downsize and 14 open market houses, as well as plots for nine self-builds and community space.

A Suffolk County Council spokeswoman said: “The application was the result of many years of partnership working with the parish council, Babergh Housing, Orwell Housing and Suffolk County Council as the landowner.

“The parish council identified the need for housing for local people and together with Orwell Housing and Suffolk County Council it was agreed to develop a scheme to provide a mixed use development to support the village community on land owned by Suffolk County Council.

“There will be a reduction to the speed limit in this part of the village. All partners in the scheme are very pleased with the outcome at the meeting and we are now keen to see the first homes on the site available for occupation by mid-2019.”