PUPILS’ commutes to school will be made safer thanks to a £220,000 improvement job to footpaths linking local facilities to nearby housing developments.

South Lakeland District Council has approved plans from South Cumbrian housebuilder Russell Armer Homes to construct 34 new homes, including 14 affordable properties, at Kendal Road, in Kirkby Lonsdale.

As part of the Lunesdale Rise development, the home builder has committed a total of £220,000 to upgrade an existing footpath leading between Kendal Road and the Queen Elizabeth School sports pitches, which will then be adopted and maintained by Cumbria County Council and made available for use by the general public.

Lunesdale Rise will border Russell Armer’s Oakfield Park development, which resulted in the creation of 78 new houses.

The new development will consist of a range of one to four bedroom properties, with 14 of the homes classed as affordable housing.

John Blue, the managing director of Russell Armer Homes, said: “Together with our Oakfield Park development, we are providing much-needed housing in the local area as identified by South Lakeland District Council.

“The creation of a mixture of homes, from one to two bed apartments to three and four bedroom houses, will appeal to a wide section of the community and include both affordable and open market properties.

“What is key to this development is that it is in keeping with the characterful nature of Kirkby Lonsdale, while also providing a modern, contemporary development to appeal to changing consumer demands.”

Associated green spaces will be included as part of the development, while all existing trees alongside Kendal Road will be retained.

To enhance the greenery around the development, a mixture of native and ornamental species of trees and plants which offer both ecological and aesthetic interest will be planted throughout the site.

An integrated Sustainable Urban Drainage System is also proposed to manage flood and pollution risks and to help to enhance ecology at the site.

The footpath upgrade is part of Russell Armer House’s Section 106 agreement to provide benefits to the local community from the Lunesdale Rise development. A Section 106 agreement is a planning condition which exists to mitigate any impact the development may have on the local area.

Mr Blue said: “Kendal Road is extremely well connected to local schools and other amenities, such as shops, a post office and churches, but the existing public footpaths need significant investment to make the route safer, particularly for the school pupils who use it every day.”