Homes and jobs in the pipeline at Bowness (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Homes and jobs in the pipeline at Bowness

9:30am Sunday 3rd March 2013 in News

PEOPLE struggling to find affordable housing in South Lakeland will benefit from a new development in the district.

A £1.8 million scheme will see 12 affordable homes being built on Biskey Howe Road.

Built in partnership with developers South Cumbria Construction, the development will see the construction of 12 high quality affordable homes to rent for local people with a connection to the town and its surrounding area.

Two Castles Housing Association is carrying out the work which is being part-funded by the Homes and Communities Agency with an investment of £324,000 and with support from South Lakeland District Council and the Lake District National Park.

The work will also provide employment opportunities for local tradespeople and sub-contractors working on the site.

Rob Brittain, property services director at Two Castles Housing Association, said: “There continues to be a real demand for quality housing to rent across the Lakeland area and Two Castles is committed to working with our partners to deliver a range of high quality affordable homes that meet the needs of local people and their families.

“This scheme will benefit those in the greatest housing need and will also help to transform a former under-used site, bringing it back into community life.”

The development will include six two-bedroomed and six three-bedroomed properties constructed using a timber frame as well as using traditional building materials in keeping with the local townscape.

The development, which is expected to be completed by May 2013, will also be built to Level Three of the Code for Sustainable Homes Standards.

Each property will be highly insulated, helping to make each home even more affordable by reducing energy bills for tenants.

Coun Jonathan Brook, South Lakeland District Council's housing portfolio holder, said: “SLDC is committed to providing affordable homes for local people and this is another excellent example of partnership working doing just that.”