The long awaited the £3m transformation of a former Hadleigh care home into high quality social housing has been completed and ready for tenants to move into.

The former Angel Court care home in Angel Street, Hadleigh has been converted into 21 new homes, all available as social housing, helping lower income house-hunters find a home of their own.

The development, funded by Babergh District Council and Homes England, is a mix of one and two-bedroom flats – offering affordable rent (below market rate) and shared ownership options to residents – as well as adding a further nine homes to Babergh's council housing stock.

Pentaco Construction, site contractors, presented the keys to the new council houses to councillors David Busby and Jan Osborne this week.

Cllr Jan Osborne, Babergh District Council's cabinet member for housing, said:

"We believe everyone in Babergh should have somewhere affordable that they can call home. Social housing is required within every local community and this development meets a range of needs – whether they are adding to our 3,500 council houses across the district or helping those on lower-income to own their own property with a part-rent, part-buy option.

"Ultimately, these properties are more than bricks and mortar. They are now people's homes."

Cllr David Busby, Babergh District Council's cabinet member for assets and investments said: "This is just one example of the investment we are making to ensure we have the right type of housing in the right place to meet the needs of local residents.

"This was a significant council investment to breathe new life into a disused town centre site, and solve a local need for social housing - offering a real demonstration of the council's ongoing desire to support its communities."

Gavin Napper, Managing Director of Pentaco Construction said: "With the ever-increasing need for quality affordable housing, Pentaco are delighted to support a project in which we not only create new homes, but repurpose a derelict site to build something better.

"We are excited to continue our involvement with more projects that use spaces creatively to create opportunity and improve the quality of life for residents, local communities and businesses, just as we've helped achieve here at Angel Court."

The project was managed by Iceni Homes, with agents Richard Utting Associates. Property and construction consultancy Ingleton Wood provided architectural and planning services for the scheme.

Andrew Collett, Senior Associate and Architect, Ingleton Wood Colchester, said: "The high-quality rebuild development of Angel Court is a perfect example of our commitment to provide modern sustainable developments that serve the changing needs of local communities.

"We are pleased to have helped bring back to life this important site within the conservation area of Hadleigh town centre. We know Angel Court will deliver real and long-lasting change for local people who need it most."

Applications to rent the new homes have already been received via the Gateway to Homechoice choice based lettings system (www.gatewaytohomechoice.org.uk) but anyone wishing to register an interest in one of the shared ownership properties should contact Iceni Homes on 01449 356914.