The first resident has moved into their new home at a housing development near Kendal.

Jones Homes has handed over the keys to a new three-bedroom house at Helmdale in Natland.

The site, on land off Sedgwick Road, will have 29 properties, with 19 for private sale and 10 affordable homes for local people through discounted market value, low-cost rent and shared ownership.

A selection of three, four and five-bedroom houses are being built for the private market.

So far, one has been sold and a further seven reserved.

Construction started in 2023 and is expected to be finished by the end of the year.

Carol Barlow, sales director for Jones Homes Lancashire, said: "It was a special moment to be able to hand over the keys to the first resident on this development.

"Two other customers are due to move into their new properties in July, which will begin the transformation of Helmdale from a housing development to a community which people call home."

Ms Barlow said there has been a lot of interest in Helmdale and the first resident relocated from Preston.

She said: "There has been a great deal of interest in this development and word about the incredible location has spread far and wide.

"The first resident, relocated to the area from Preston, and all but one of the reservations are with customers from south of the area."

She said the location is the 'biggest draw' for house hunters.

Ms Barlow said: "When people get here they are blown away by the stunning setting, right on the edge of the Lake District.

"Residents at Helmdale will enjoy the best of both worlds.

"The development is effectively a small hamlet blending in with the gorgeous village of Natland, and yet it's only three miles away from the thriving market town of Kendal."

“We have recently opened the doors to a fabulous five-bedroom Latchford show home at Helmdale.

"This impressive detached executive home has been very popular with house hunters and provides the perfect opportunity for people to picture what it would be like to live in a new home in this extremely desirable location.”

A number of houses are available to reserve, with prices starting from £349,995.

To find out more about the homes at Helmdale, visit jones-homes.co.uk.