PLANS to build 40 new affordable and local occupancy homes in Ambleside have been welcomed by the town’s parish council.

Housing association Home Group is working on proposals to build 22 affordable homes to rent and 18 homes for local occupancy in Ambleside's  Borrans Road.

A spokesman for the group said plans are expected to be submitted ‘around the end of August’, with the aim to begin work in February or March 2023.

Read more: Plans underway to build 40 new affordable and local occupancy homes in town

A public consultation where residents could see the plans and share their thoughts took place on July 25.

Charlene Iredale, clerk for Lakes Parish Council, said the plan was welcomed by the council and that councillors are ‘keen’ to find out more details about the scheme.

“The proposal is indeed welcomed by Lakes Parish Council as local affordable housing is in desperate need throughout the Lake District,” she said.

“We are keen to find out the in-depth associated details and make a detailed assessment of the proposal.”

David Armstrong, senior development and delivery manager at Home Group, said the consultation had seen a ‘brilliant’ turnout.

“We are really excited to bring these plans to the community in Ambleside,” he said.

“We held a public event on Monday (July 25) to hear people’s thoughts.

“We had a brilliant turnout with over 100 people turning up, raising a range of interesting points and allowing us to understand any concerns they had. We’ll now be reviewing these to see if there are any opportunities to improve the designs as they’re developed.

“It was great to see the local community so engaged, and we want to make sure we bring them on every step of this journey.”