The redevelopment of former Suffolk council offices to provide nearly 100 homes has been delayed due to the amount of design work involved in delivering a 'viable, safe and attractive scheme'.

Building work was due to start at the site of the former Suffolk Coastal District Council HQ in Melton Hill, Woodbridge last spring, with the first residents moving into the new homes this year, but as yet no bricks have been laid.

In August, the first phase of demolition work was completed to remove the old offices, which the council vacated in 2016 to move to its current home at East Suffolk House on Riduna Park in Melton.

READ MORE: Woodbridge: Demolition begins on Suffolk council offices

In a statement on their website in December, developers ROSE Builders said a third public exhibition and the submission of plans for the development, known as King's View, would be deferred 'until early next year'.

The statement added: "This is a highly sensitive and complex scheme to deliver and has a number of factors we are considering.

"Whilst no physical building work is happening, behind the scenes there continues to be a vast amount of design, reporting and technical work being carried out.

READ MORE: Visitors welcome revised 100-home plans at Woodbridge

East Anglian Daily Times: The first phase of demolition work has already begun at Melton Hill in WoodbridgeThe first phase of demolition work has already begun at Melton Hill in Woodbridge (Image: ROSE Builders)"We thoroughly appreciate that the residents of Woodbridge would like to see progression of the site.

"We are working hard to ensure this happens, but the upmost due care and attention is needed to effectively deliver a scheme of this nature."

READ MORE: Homes design is unveiled for controversial Suffolk 'cheese wedges' site

Two public exhibitions have already been held, with the most recent in September 2022 attracting 250 visitors to view reworked plans.

These revised plans envisaged 98 properties, including 29 one-bed apartments, 39 two-bed apartments and 22 three-bed apartments, along with five family houses and two duplex homes.

Previous plans for the site by developer Active Urban had caused controversy after being likened to ‘cheese wedges’ because of their design and had attracted more than 200 objections.

READ MORE: Woodbridge news