DEBENHAM is drawing inspiration from a fellow Suffolk village as it bids to provide more affordable housing for its young people and key workers.The village could follow the lead of Grundisburgh in providing specially reduced property prices for local people.

DEBENHAM is drawing inspiration from a fellow Suffolk village as it bids to provide more affordable housing for its young people and key workers.

The village could follow the lead of Grundisburgh in providing specially reduced property prices for local people.

A public meeting about the issue is being held at 7.30pm on Tuesday at Debenham Community Centre. It follows an appraisal, carried out in 2001, that identified a lack of cheap housing.

Helen Huish, chairwoman of the parish council, said: "I don't think I've seen a house cheaper than £135,000 in the village for a long time.

"People I speak to in the village say their children are being forced to move out because they can't afford the property prices. The nature of employment in Debenham means workers also find it very difficult to do the jobs because they can't afford to live in the village."

She added a current housing development in Sackvylle Street, due to be complete in 2006, would not meet the deficit as more than half of the properties are four and five bedroomed.

A housing needs survey is planned for early September and Tuesday's meeting is designed to gauge public opinion.