Plans for 120 new council houses in Ipswich
New council houses could be built in Ipswich for the first time in more than two decades.
Ipswich Borough Council wants to build about 120 homes on three plots of land in the town - starting at Coltsfoot Road and Whitton Church Lane.
Councillor John Mowles, portfolio holder for housing, said there was a "very serious deficit" in relation to the demand for council housing.
"There is a great need for housing of all sorts in Ipswich," he said.
Mr Mowles said public consultation had begun for the small plots of land in Coltsfoot Road and Whitton Church Lane, both owned by the council, and that planning applications could be submitted later this year.
Right to buy
Plans are currently being developed in partnership with Orwell Housing Association for a site at Bader Close, where more than 100 of the homes would be built.
"The state of the economy has meant that many people who would normally have tried to buy houses have not been able to do so," said Mr Mowles.
"The private sector has not been building as many homes and there are a lot of people who would like to buy but can't afford the deposit, which has put even more pressure on those who provide rented accommodation."
He said a change to how the government arranged housing finance meant the homes could be built "at no cost to the council taxpayers".
"We've always said, if we're in a position to provide any new homes, that's what people would most like to have so we'll do our damnedest to do something about it," he said.
Tenants will have the chance to buy the houses "after a certain number of years", Mr Mowles said.