A developer has bought two hectares of land in the centre of a town with plans to build 50 houses on it.

House buillder Kier Homes Ltd last week submitted an application to build 30 three to five-bedroom private detached and semi-detached homes and 20 affordable properties on land in Baldock Road, Royston.

Nick Moore, deputy managing director for the Bedfordshire-based developer, said: “I am delighted to be able to confirm our acquisition of this key site in the market town of Royston. In the coming weeks and months we will be working to prepare a proposal for the development, which will aim to deliver much needed, high quality new homes to the area.”

The developer has said the purchase marks “the first in a series of land acquisitions by Kier Homes”.

A detailed planning application is expected to be submitted later this year following consultation with surrounding residents and both Royston Town Council and North Hertfordshire District Council’s planning committees.