A PROGRAMME of affordable house building - backed by £300,000 from council coffers - has been announced today.

At a meeting this morning, the ruling Lib Dem Cabinet agreed to give 'in principle' financial support for 43 new affordable homes.

Fourteen houses are proposed to be developed at Burland Grove, Kendal; 14 at Briery Bank, Arnside and five on land off Collingwood Close, Coniston.

The grants will be funded through a combination of the government's Homes and Communities Agency, the housing associations involved, the New Homes Bonus Reserve and the council's Second Homes Fund.

The council fund has benefited by over £1.5 million from thousands of second home owners  after SLDC abolished council tax discounts for those with second properties in the area.

The cash is now diverted towards helping the authority finance affordable housing schemes.

However, the sites must win planning permission from the council before construction can start.

Cabinet also approved in principle the allocation of £502,186 to South Lakes Housing, which is the main provider of affordable rented housing and owns 3,155 former SLDC council homes.

The money is for a development at Binfold Croft, Kirkby Lonsdale which will provide 10 new social rented homes.

SLDC said the half-a-million pounds had been obtained from the developer of the nearby Tram Lane housing project as one of the planning conditions of the scheme.

South Lakes Housing based in Kendal, will also contribute up to £1.2 million. However, detailed financial scheme appraisals must now be provided.

Cabinet also agreed to 'freeze' the authority's existing affordable house prices rate.

It means affordable two bedroom homes will remain priced at £95,000, a three bedroom home will be £110,000 and a four bedroom at £125,000.

Flat prices will also remain the same and an additional price category has been created for one-bedroom homes and bungalows  - which was set at £85,000.

Councillor Jonathan Brook, SLDC portfolio holder for strategic growth, commented: “There is a real shortage of affordable homes in South Lakeland and addressing this is one of our key priorities."

“By assisting with the funding of affordable housing schemes, we are providing local people of all ages with the opportunity of obtaining a property in this beautiful district. It is right that we offer help to residents to enable them to live in the areas where they have grown up or work, and help to maintain the viability of our local communities.

“The 43 affordable homes and the price freeze will benefit local people, particularly first time buyers.”