DEMAND for three-storey houses is being driven by "changing lifestyles", says a leading housebuilder.

Story Homes has released a selection of four-bedroom detached homes set over three floors at Ash Tree Park, Kendal, off Kendal Parks Road.

The company says houses have traditionally been built over two floors with the living, kitchen and dining areas downstairs, and bedrooms and family bathroom upstairs.

However, it says the rise of "three-storey living" is giving people a chance to be more versatile, such as:

- having a home cinema, music room, gym or playroom in the ground-floor media room

- locating the family lounge on the first floor for added privacy, better views, and keeping the "hustle and bustle of the street at arm’s length"

- and giving teenagers their own space.

The four-bedroom detached Branthwaite, for example, has a media room on the ground floor with kitchenette attached; a first-floor lounge, spacious kitchen, dining and family room overlooking the garden; and four bedrooms on the second floor including an en-suite master room, and a family bathroom.

Ash Tree Park can be visited Thursday-Monday, 10.30am-5pm.

Meanwhile, a couple from Clifton, near Penrith, have secured a Story Home thanks to the housebuilder’s part exchange scheme.

Rebecca Schulz and Marc Farquhar moved into their new four-bedroom Wellington house at The Oaks, in Clifton village, with their dog Alfie.

Rebecca said the part exchange "took the stress out of selling" their house, as they received the price they wanted, had no worries about the sale falling through, and could stay at their old address until the new home was ready.

Hayley Blair, Story Homes' head of sales, added: "A major advantage of the scheme is you don’t get caught up in a chain with the possibility of losing your buyer or have to worry about any last-minute hitches."