Despite being “uncomfortable” with the loss of green space and road changes needed, community leaders have approved controversial plans for 35 new homes in Framlingham.

The go-ahead was given for the project on land in Victoria Mill Road after East Suffolk Council planning committee south chair Debbie McCallum used her casting vote in favour of the application.

The plans from Leaper Land Promotion will see 35 custom and self-build homes, including 12 affordable homes, and a play area constructed.

It follows the rejection of an application by the same company in May, mainly because councillors felt it included too many homes and were unhappy about the loss of grass verge.

The applicant reduced the number of homes from 49 to 35 in the application heard yesterday. The Framlingham Neighbourhood Plan allocates the Victoria Mill Road site for “approximately 30 dwellings”.

The development still involves the loss of 57 square metres of grass verge designated as an asset for community value (ACV).

This loss will be caused by the straightening and widening of Victoria Mill Road - safety work which will be done before any housing can be started.

The label of ACV is awarded by councils to land or buildings that further the social wellbeing or interests of the local community.

Residents have said children play on the verge, while the officers' report points out that cars park there – weakening its ‘community value’.

Councillor Colin Hedgley said “this doesn’t sit easily with me” and councillor Mike Deacon was “uncomfortable” with the application.

Mr Deacon said: “I don’t like the realignment of the road as I think it’s going to cause highways issues.

“I really don’t like the disregard of ACVs. We grant them for a reason and I think we should uphold them.”

In support of the application, councillor Stuart Bird said: “We’re getting hung up on the loss of 57 square metres of grass verge against a development that would yield plenty of play space and public space. To me, the benefits here far outweigh the losses.

“We’ve got an obligation to provide self-build housing. There are people waiting on a list for them.”