Adam Gretton A HOUSING development in Brandon has been boosted by a government scheme to kickstart affordable homes projects.

Adam Gretton

A HOUSING development in Brandon has been boosted by a government scheme to kickstart affordable homes projects.

The 52 home scheme at the Tree Tops, in Thetford Road, is one of three Suffolk projects to receive a share of a �83m national pot of money aimed at resurrecting building projects that have stalled during the recession.

Six of the new homes will be made affordable to local people through the government's HomeBuy scheme following the announcement on Monday .

The funding from the Kickstart programme will also safeguard jobs by granting money to developers and house builders that provide apprenticeships and opportunities for local workers.

A total of �6.5m will go towards 12 projects in the East, which has to be repaid within five years, and will result in 742 new and affordable homes.

These include �115,000 to kickstart a 52 home J S Bloor scheme at the Tree Tops, in Brandon.

A quarter of the mothballed developments will have workers back on site by the end of the month, said the Homes and Communities Agency.

Barbara Follett, minister for the East of England, said: “There are two things we need urgently in this region, more affordable housing and jobs for skilled construction workers. That is why this new government funding is so welcome. It will help a lot of people in the East of England get their first home and others to get back into work.”