AMBLESIDE looks likely to get 15 new properties for local people.

Eight new apartments for rent are to be built along with four affordable houses for sale and three ‘local needs’ houses.

They will go up on the site of the former Brown’s bus depot on Compston Street and complete a scheme dating back to 2006.

Also included in the development are two new business units and a shop.

Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) planners gave permission for applicants, the Ambleside-based joinery, roofing and building contractor, Cook and Lakin Properties, to build the new homes.

The deal is subject to the signing of a section 106 agreement - the local occupancy clause - and other conditions.

A report before the LDNPA development control committee explained that the new properties would meet a need.

It said: “On the basis of the Ambleside Housing Needs Survey 2011 and South Lakeland District Council information on the needs of individuals on their waiting list, there is a need for the proposed mix of affordable, rental, affordable sale and local needs housing.

“SLDC confirm there are four households who are in need of affordable housing for sale.”

“The affordable rental properties would be let at housing association rental values. For the affordable needs housing for sale, both the initial sale price and subsequent resale price would be restricted using a mechanism which reflects both local incomes and house prices to ensure the property remains affordable at the time of sale.”

Bill Cook, partner in Cook and Lakin, which bought the former depot, commented: “It’s a bit of a relief to have a use of an asset. We have 10 local employees and we should be able to do it nearly all in-house subject to getting the finance.”