Plans for a complex of sheltered housing gave double cause for celebration yesterday when the scheme was given the go-ahead.Breckland Council has been working closely with McCarthy and Stone on plans to develop a plot of land on Queens Road Attleborough.

Plans for a complex of sheltered housing gave double cause for celebration yesterday when the scheme was given the go-ahead.

Breckland Council has been working closely with McCarthy and Stone on plans to develop a plot of land on Queens Road Attleborough.

The company, which wanted to build 38 sheltered apartments for over 55s, always opts out of offering a percentage of homes as affordable housing, instead choosing to contribute a financial sum.

But now, after taking part in talks with Breckland's housing team, McCarthy and Stone will, for the first time, be offering affordable homes on site.

Darryl Smith, principal housing officer, said: “We're very chuffed. It's easy to just take the money and run but this is a result of a lot of hard work and negotiations.

“Lee Webster deserves a lot of credit for this. He spent a lot of time in talks, sitting down, working this out. We would hope this is the start of McCarthy now offering affordable home provisions in all their developments.

“People at the latter end of the market need affordable homes too; some people don't have a healthy pension to fall back on. Or they don't have a lot of money but have a house they want to sell and free up finances. This gives them the opportunity.”

Breckland's development control committee yesterday approved plans which will see a single detached building house the 38 apartments, with gardens and buggy space.