The most energy-efficient council homes ever built in Norwich are expected to be ready by the end of this year.

Norwich City Council's cabinet last night awarded EN Suiter & Sons Ltd with a £1.2m contract to build 10 flats at Hansard Close.

The Kings Lynn-based firm will be required to construct the homes to the Passivhaus standard – the highest standard of energy efficiency.

Bert Bremner, cabinet member for environment and sustainable development, said: 'It brings benefits to both the environment and also to the tenants.

'It has health benefits and also saves on energy bills.

'We are hoping the scheme will be completed by mid-October, ready for official handover and for tenants to move in before December this year. I think this is an incredible move.'

The development, which is made up of eight one-bedroom flats and two two-bedroom flats, will replace the local authority's former area office in Mile Cross.

Passivhaus homes are built to the highest standard of energy efficiency. They include extra thick insulation, triple glazed windows and doors, and heat provided through a mechanical vent heat recovery system.

Debbie Gould, senior development officer, added: 'I have been speaking to the Passivhaus Trust and there are no certified Passivhaus dwellings in the city. So we are hoping these will be the first.'

During yesterday's meeting, cabinet members also approved to take on the lease of a community centre on the new Asda site on Hall Road.

Councillors said it would be occupied by the Harford Community Centre, which will switch from its current home at Peterkin Road in Tuckswood.

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