First time buyers have spoken about the thrill of being able to move into their own home.

New homes were completed earlier this month as part of a partnership between Waltham Forest Council and developer Pocket Living.

But the first-time buyer in Walthamstow today is older and wealthier than their parents might have been when they bought a home.

The average occupant is 32, with an income of £42,000 and most of the homes are lived in by single occupiers, with a few couples.

Buyers include an A and E doctor, a local primary school teacher and a council worker.

Most of the homes were not bought with the typical deposit and mortgage. A total of 89 per cent on the site were bought through the government’s Help to Buy scheme.

Rosie Chambers, a 31-year-old marine conservationist, officially moved into her new home yesterday.

She was handed her keys by Cllr Clare Coghill, leader of Waltham Forest Council.

New home owner Rosie Chambers said: “I’ve always loved Walthamstow, and I’m just so excited to have a place of my own here.

“I really wanted to live here because of the wetlands. The council should be so proud of the work there.”

Cllr Clare Coghill said: “It was a really proud day when we opened the wetlands. It was really moving.”

Pocket Living were awarded a £25 million loan from the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, specifically to buy up old council land and build attainable housing.

The site in Walthamstow was formerly home to old council offices. Pocket Living bought the site from the council and it now houses more than 45 affordable apartments for first time buyers designed by Gort Scott architects; 70 per cent of which are already moved into.

The scheme was unanimously granted planning permission in 2016. Cllr Coghill broke the ground on the site in a digger in 2017 and just over a year later, the project has reached completion.

A total of 80 per cent of the new residents lived in the borough before moving to their new addresses, 18 per cent of those already work within the borough and 41 per cent work in the public sector.

Nick Williams, Pocket Living’s director, said: “We are delighted the leader of the council was able to join us for the completion of our first affordable housing development in Waltham Forest just 14 months after she broke the ground on the site.

“It was also great that she got to hand the keys over to an excited Pocket first time buyer. We know there is huge demand for affordable homes like those offered by Pocket in Waltham Forest.

“Pocket homes are reserved for hardworking, middle-earning young people who contribute so much to the economic and cultural success of our city which is why were delighted all the homes went to people who already live or work in Waltham Forest.

“We hope to continue to work with innovative councils like Waltham Forest to help even more local people to own their own home.”

Cllr Coghill said: “It’s been a pleasure revisiting Gainsford Road and meeting Rosie as she moves into her new home. I’ve seen this project progress from breaking the ground last year to now handing over keys to a new resident today, and it really highlights the huge positive impact that providing decent housing has on individuals – and especially when they are a first-time buyer.

“Pocket Living homes are one of the options available as we strive to deliver the right homes, in the right places, for those who need them. 80 per cent of these new properties have gone to people from Waltham Forest – keeping families, friends, and support networks together is key to building healthy, resilient communities.”