A Suffolk parish council has reached an agreement with a local landowner to support two housing developments in return for ownership of two pieces of land in the heart of the village.

Thurston Parish Council now has the freehold title to 10 acres of open space in the village centre and the New Green Community Centre.

In addition to this is a two-and-a-half-acre site for a community wood and further allotments adjacent to Thurston Primary Academy to help them with their Forest School status.

In return, the parish council is supporting two planning applications for 13 new dwellings which have not yet been submitted to the local authority.

The first application is for five houses on Church View at Manor Farm, which will be designed with the appearance of a farmhouse and range of converted barns.

The second will see eight dwellings made from "traditional materials" at Barrells Green and the council will take ownership of the allotments currently on-site.

Thurston Parish Council said: "This ownership agreement will allow the parish council to secure future economic, social and environmental benefits that will not only support the needs of a growing village but will also protect valuable areas of importance to the community's wellbeing and interests."