A derelict former bakery site which has been empty for the last 15 years has moved a step closer to development.

On Tuesday, Ipswich Borough Council’s executive approved plans to develop the former Tooks Bakery site in Old Norwich Road into 45 homes, which could be completed by early 2018.

While official plans have yet to be submitted, the executive approved the concept, subject to planning permission being granted.

The report from the executive meeting said: “A planning brief for the former Tooks Bakery site and adjacent King George V field was updated in August 2012.

“It identified the former Tooks Bakery site as being suitable for residential redevelopment. It stated that the site would be suitable for residential redevelopment on the basis of 80% residential and up to 20% community facilities such as a doctors/retail facilities.

“The brief outlined the suitability of the site for low to medium density development (30-45 dwellings per hectare) with an area for public open space incorporating the protected trees adjacent to Bury Road.”

The project is one of a number the council has been considering to meet a target of 1,000 new homes in the next 10 years, following on from the Bader Close development.

The factory, leased to Associated British Foods in 1984, closed in 2001, before being demolished in 2008.

A full planning application is now set to be submitted in July or August, with a planning decision to be made in November or December this year.

If planning permission is granted, an expected timetable of work could begin in March 2017 with a completion date in early 2018.