Work has started on a £2million eco-project for 15 environmentally friendly shared-ownership homes in the heart of Thetford.Suffolk Housing Society begun transforming an overgrown patch of land next to Jubilee Close in the town into one two and three bedroom homes and two bedroom flats built using some of the latest technologies.

Work has started on a £2million eco-project for 15 environmentally friendly shared-ownership homes in the heart of Thetford.

Suffolk Housing Society begun transforming an overgrown patch of land next to Jubilee Close in the town into one two and three bedroom homes and two bedroom flats built using some of the latest technologies.

They will be insulated with special panels to reduce energy loss and keep them warm and air source heat pumps will be used to heat the homes through an under floor system.

Sustainable materials, such as timber, are being used where possible to keep the development's carbon footprint to an absolute minimum.

And the homes will only be made available to people with a specific link to the area on a rental, sale or shared ownership basis.

Steve Clarke, chief executive of the society, said: “This ground-breaking development will be a prime example of truly sustainable housing.

“We are extremely excited about this innovative project, which will see 15 high quality homes built using contemporary architecture and the latest environmental technologies.”

The society has worked with Iceni Homes, Breckland Council and Brooks and Wood on the scheme and £400,000 of the £2million cost is a grant from the Housing Corporation through the Key Communities Consortium.

They are due to be completed late next year.