New social housing development scheme opened in Windermere (From The Westmorland Gazette)

New social housing development scheme opened in Windermere

9:00am Sunday 9th December 2012 in News

A NEW social housing development in Windermere is set to help address South Lakeland’s acute shortage of affordable rented property.

South Lakes Housing has just completed the new development at School Knott – the first development of new affordable housing in Windermere since 2006.

The development has been a joint project with South Lakeland District Council and was officially opened on Friday by South Lakes Housing board chairman Mary Dowling and South Lakeland District Council Leader Peter Thornton.

Unpopular bedsits in the neighbourhood have been converted into nine family homes and two bungalows. The properties will accommodate nine families and two single people who between them have been on the waiting list for social housing for 19 years.

Coun Jonathan Brook, SLDC’s Housing and Development Portfolio Holder, said: “The School Knott housing scheme is just the type of development we want to encourage to help meet the significant need for new affordable housing throughout our area. I hope those who remain on the waiting list for social housing will take some comfort from this small step today."