Work begins on first Ipswich council houses for 20 years Published duration 10 May 2013

image caption Three council houses are being built on Coltsfoot Road, Ipswich

Work has begun on the first council houses to be built in Ipswich for more than two decades.

Three houses are being built on Coltsfoot Road, Chantry, and four on Whitton Church Lane, north-west Ipswich.

Ipswich Borough Council said the three and two bedroom houses would be finished by November.

The council is also planning to build more than 100 new homes in Bader Close, in south-east Ipswich.

Council leader David Ellesmere said the properties would be filled using the choice based letting scheme.

"People can bid for any vacant property that comes up," he said.

"Somebody who is out on the streets and doesn't have a home will have priority over somebody who just wants to move to another area."