New showhomes were launched today in Threescore, Bowthorpe at what is the largest 'passivhaus' development in the UK.

Eastern Daily Press: Part of the living area in the three-bedroomed Passivhaus home at Rayne Park, Bowthorpe. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYPart of the living area in the three-bedroomed Passivhaus home at Rayne Park, Bowthorpe. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

The first homes built on what is the largest low-energy 'passivhaus' development in the UK - and one of the largest in Europe - have been unveiled.

Two showhomes were officially launched on Rayne Park in Three Score, Bowthorpe - a site of 172 new homes, 112 of which boast energy efficient 'passivhaus' technology.

The homes are being built on land earmarked for housing in 1973 and as a result of Norwich City Council forming its own company to do so.

Rayne Park, which is being built by Norwich Regeneration Company and is owned by the city council, will offer a mixture of private and social housing.

Eastern Daily Press: Part of the living area in the three-bedroomed Passivhaus home at Rayne Park, Bowthorpe. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYPart of the living area in the three-bedroomed Passivhaus home at Rayne Park, Bowthorpe. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Houses range in size from one to five bedrooms, with one and two-bedroom apartments also available and a total of 57 affordable homes, some of which also boast the passivhaus technology.

Work on the site began in May and the first houses are expected to be finished by the end of the year.

Gwyn Jones, Norwich City Council's growth and development manager, said it had been necessary to form the regeneration company to get the houses built in a climate of too few resources yet a great housing need.

The benefit was not only in providing housing but also in that it would generate revenue which the council would feed back into the community, she said.

Eastern Daily Press: Part of the living area in the three-bedroomed Passivhaus home at Rayne Park, Bowthorpe. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYPart of the living area in the three-bedroomed Passivhaus home at Rayne Park, Bowthorpe. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

In the first phase, 79 properties are being built by building firm RG Carter.

Mario Rackham, its operations director, said: 'RG Carter is very pleased to be working in partnership with Norwich Regeneration Ltd, to provide quality sustainable housing that will serve Norfolk's ever-growing population.'

Alison Guyton, new homes director for Leaders, which is marketing the homes, said properties were up for sale officially today, with the show homes available to view today and tomorrow from noon until 4pm

'We are delighted to be marketing Rayne Park and already we have had a lot of interest with people here today and many viewings booked over the weekend,' she said.