New homes in a Norfolk village have now been occupied, marking a fresh chapter in the lives of 13 families.

Keys have been handed over to the residents of Gower’s Place, a development by Flagship Homes in Feltwell, near Brandon.

Thirteen of the homes at the site have gone to people on the local housing register at affordable rent – around 80% of market rates – while the other six are for shared ownership, a hybrid of buying and renting which gives access to the housing ladder with a small deposit.

Among those moving in on 10 September was Claire Ruskin, 36, and her sons Archie, 16, and Noah, nine.

Claire said their new home was a big upgrade on where they used to live.

She said: “We’ve done six-and-a-half years in a two-bed bungalow, so this has blown our minds completely. The night before moving in felt like Christmas Eve. There’s a lot to enjoy. I’m really excited and looking forward to the new beginning.”

Gower’s Place is set around a new street called Pryers Gardens. It was built in partnership with principal contractor Aspen Build – based in Ipswich – and was part-funded by Homes England.

The homes all have rooftop solar panels and air-source heat pumps. They have the highest efficiency rating, EPC-A, thanks to extra wall and floor insulation, meaning lower energy bills for residents.

The affordable rent homes will be managed by Victory Homes, which, along with housebuilder Flagship Homes is part of Bromford Flagship. The shared ownership homes have all already been reserved. The development includes a mix of two-to-four bedroom homes.

Simon Floor, Flagship Homes project manager, said: “There’s such a massive need for affordable housing right across Norfolk, so every house we complete matters and makes a huge difference to the families who will call them home.

“This site is looking fantastic too – we’ve kept the mature trees and planted new ones so these homes really blend into the village setting.”

Feltwell is home to a primary school, a GP practice, a pharmacy, a veterinary surgery, a pub and other facilities.