A decision to prevent 30 homes being built on a greenfield site in Kessingland has been overturned on appeal.

The project for 24 homes and six bungalows on land off Heritage Green was inditially rejected by Waveney Distric Council.

But in an appeal, planning inspector Jeremy Sargent said: 'The size of Kessingland means the scale of this development would not be inappropriate in relation to the village as a whole or that the size of the settlement would change significantly.'

Lowestoft-based Badger Building, who will deliver the scheme, was originally turned down in Decemberas planning officers said there was no justification for making an exeption to Waveney District Council's existing five-year supply of housing land.

Managing director of Badger Building Stephen George said: 'Whilst we were pleased to win the appeal we were disappointed with the Inspector's conclusions on the availability of land For the foreseeable future almost all new housing in the town will be confined to either Kirkley Waterfront or Woods Meadow at Oulton Broad.

'This restricts choice both for us as builders and for purchasers. Whilst we understand the need for regeneration, new housing needs to be spread more evenly around the district.

'In spite of an upturn in the economy and the local housing market we are presently seeing the lowest levels of new housing being built in the Waveney area for 20 years due to a shortage of available sites for smaller builders.

Waveney District Councillor David Ritchie, cabinet member for planning said the council was able to take some positives from the decicion.

'Although we are disappointed that the Inspector chose to allow the appeal, we welcome his independent conclusions regarding the overall supply of housing in the district,' he said. 'This gives the Council further confidence that our development plans for the area, including the Area Action Plan, are robust.

'Badger is an important local business and although we will not always agree on which sites are most suitable for development, they remain a vital partner in the delivery of new and much needed homes to Waveney.'

The decision has frustrated villagers, who raised concerns over foul and surface water drainage, affordable housing and road safety.

Kessingland Parish Council chair Liam Martin said: 'It was all dealt with at a two-day public hearing when we gave our reasons to the planning inspector. We're very disappointed it didn't go our way and we didn't get the decision.'

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