THE first tenant has picked up the keys to the first eco-home to be built in Bicester.

Edward Brassington, pictured receiving the keys from Harj Lota, left, of Sanctuary Housing, has moved into his new flat at the former Bryan House site, now known as Thyme Court, marking the completion of the first phase of the £3.3m development in Chapel Street.

Bryan House was knocked down last year and has been replaced by 23 homes, of which 19 are social housing flats and four shared-ownership properties. The full project is due to be completed by July.

During the building work archaeologists discovered what they believe could be the remains of Bicester’s patron saint St Edburg at the site.

Last August, the entire north transept of the Priory Church, which is believed to stretch to Old Place Yard, Priory Road and Chapel Street, was uncovered before development work began.

Mr Brassington said: “The flat is really nice and living in a place like this makes you think carefully about how much energy you are using.”

Sanctuary Housing funded the majority of the scheme, but it also had grants of £658,000 from the Homes and Communities Agency and £330,000 from Cherwell District Council.