Affordable eco homes completed in Little Harrowden – completion ceremony

The homes are prioritised for people with a local connection and are at Rookery View, off Hardwick Road .

Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor of Wellingborough Cllr Lora Lawman said: "Villages up and down the country face the same problem that Little Harrowden has - that there is often insufficient housing, or space for housing, within the village to provide for the next generation who may wish to remain in or return to their home village. This small development of splendid eco homes has been identified for those residents with a proven connection to the village. Wellingborough Council was pleased to provide funding of £70,000 for eco measures that will benefit the environment and save the tenants money.

"It was very pleasing to see children from the local school here today. They have taken a particular interest in the housing scheme and two of the children I met are actually living with their parents in the new homes. This is an excellent development, very thoughtful and commendable to be repeated elsewhere if funding allows. My congratulations to the architects, developers and everyone involved and I wish the residents of Rookery View much happiness for the future."

Angela and Michael Ambidge, who moved into a new bungalow on 1 October after being on the council's housing register for three years were also delighted with the development. Angela said: "I'm from the area and we were keen to move back into Little Harrowden, especially as my 81 year old mum is in sheltered accommodation in the village. We were in rented housing and there were a scary few days where we thought we would be homeless, but luckily we were able to move into this new house early, even though it meant living on a building site!

"The bungalow is lovely and we're very happy with it. It's very spacious, there's lots of storage and it's really warm. We've already met most of our neighbours and the fact that it's a small development means we'll all get along.

"I think it's very important to have rural affordable housing, especially for young people to get a decent house. Village life is special and we're really pleased that this development means that people can keep their ties to the village and there will be a real sense of community. And as new families move in they will get settled here and future generations will be part of that community too."