THE first homes developed at Babergh District Council's former Corks Lane offices in Hadleigh have gone on the market – with the properties hailed as a significant investment in the town's future.

The first 11 homes have been completed on the site known as Bowlers Croft, following a sympathetic conversion of the buildings to preserve and enhance the original structures, ensuring the character and features are retained.

Babergh District Council's joint venture company Babergh Growth, which is a partnership with Norse Group, worked with Gipping Construction on the development. Councillors, directors and project leaders recently received the keys and enjoyed a tour of the homes.

The development will see the original buildings transformed into 49 new high-quality homes, a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments and one cottage, which are ideally located close to shops, schools, and the town's amenities.

Cllr John Ward, Babergh District Council's cabinet member for finance, assets and investments, said: "We are delighted to have delivered this significant investment in Hadleigh's future, resulting in some fantastic new homes to help meet the needs of the community.

"It was important that we took the time to develop a scheme that was sympathetic to the history of the site, and we're delighted with the outcome. Marketing of these homes is now under way, and we expect strong demand. We look forward to seeing the development being fully occupied."

Since Babergh moved out of the council offices in 2017, the aim had been to use the site for much-needed housing for Hadleigh. This is in addition to the council's 21 new social housing properties, on the site of the former Angel Court care home in Angel Lane, completed back in 2021.

The properties at Bowlers Croft are being marketed by William H Brown.