WITH just two weeks to go before the electorate of South Lakeland heads to the polls to elect its 51 district councillors, campaigning has been ramped up a notch.

On Monday, the Liberal Democrats launched its 'Putting South Lakeland First' manifesto.

Housing is a key part of the manifesto, with commitments to getting 1000 more affordable homes built, getting 300 more extra care units built and reducing the number of empty homes in the district by 20 per cent by 2025.

The manifesto also contains key pledges on health and the environment.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats in South Lakeland, Giles Archibald, said: “This manifesto strengthens our commitment to working with local communities, festival groups, charities and local businesses to make this an even more special place to live, work and explore.”

The Conservatives in South Lakeland are the only party fielding a full slate of candidates and have put jobs and prosperity at the heart of their plans.

If they take control of the council, the Conservatives pledge to keep council tax and parking charges down, create more homes for local people and bring jobs and prosperity to South Lakeland by making sure the area is properly represented when big decisions are taken. In Kendal, they have made the New Road common a central part of their campaign and vowed to reintroduce parking if successful in May.

Ben Berry, Conservative group leader, said: “We have a real plan that puts people before politics and tackles the issues people have told us are important to them.”

Another party to have launched its election manifesto is the Westmorland and Lonsdale Greens, who pledge to be 'a refreshing new voice' on SLDC.

The party's manifesto has four main aims: to be actively involved with the local community; work to keep local areas clean and green; work for safer roads and better protection against flooding; and ensure housing and planning decisions are in the best interests of people living in nearby areas.

Just two members of the existing council are from the Labour party, and both of them were in the Ulverston.

Paul Braithwaite, chair of the South Lakes Labour, said he was seeing more support this time around. Mr Braithwaite is one of 37 Labour candidates seeking election in May.

"We want to maximise the Labour vote and get some councillors elected to bring a fresh voice to the council."

Mr Braithwaite said one the things a Labour-led SLDC would do is look at decisions made by the previous administration. In particular, he mentioned the removal of parking from New Road common land in Kendal.