Nearly 100 homes are set to be built on the site of former council offices in Needham Market.

Mid Suffolk District Council vacated the High Street site in October, when it joined Babergh District Council in a move to Endeavour House, in Ipswich.

A range of options for the site's future have been explored, including the potential for offices, homes, community space, a care home and shops. Three options were put to the Mid Suffolk council meeting on Thursday, with the council unanimously approving a mixed residential and retail proposal.

Once signed off by cabinet in July, work will be pursued to transform the 5.5 acre site into 98 homes and one retail unit, before a formal planning application.

Mid Suffolk council leader Nick Gowrley said: “I look forward to the council developing this flagship, high-quality proposal in a timely fashion, providing much-needed homes for our residents and encouraging prosperity in our market town.”

Discussions had included the potential for a care home, but the idea was dismissed.

Peter Buist, from architects Purcell, said: “It was considered and ruled out.

“My understanding from that work is there is very little interest in the market.”

Public exhibitions were held in April attended by 274 people, while 172 responses resulting in nearly half (45 per cent) stating they were not in favour in principle of the vacant site for residential use.

The report added that existing historic walls and memorial trees on the site would be retained, while the houses would be a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom houses.

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