Bid to ease rural housing shortage

Two planning applications have been lodged with Eden District Council: one to build 13 low cost homes for sale under shared ownership and rent in Langwathby; and another for a further six for Tebay.

And Eden Housing Association is also looking to build affordable homes in Melmerby and at Lakes Park, Glenridding.

The association's chief executive, Paul Davies, said that buying property in villages like Tebay and Langwathby was expensive and the problem was getting worse because more and more people were moving there to take up second homes or to retire, which led to inflated house prices.

"Eden is also feeling the effects of restricted planning quotas and getting planning consent," said Mr Davies, who added that both schemes had received support from the district and parish councils.

The planning applications have been submitted in a week when the results of a one-day street poll in Penrith, carried out by housing and homelessness charity Shelter, revealed a growing concern among local people about the ability of future generations to find a home.

New figures from the Land Registry show the average house price in the area has risen by more than 23 per cent to £137,394 since last year.

The Penrith poll uncovered wide support for building more affordable housing, with 93 per cent agreeing that more was needed in the area. The same number of people also believed it would be more difficult for the next generation to find a home.

The director of Shelter, Adam Sampson, said: "These results are a clear indication that the housing crisis is biting at the heels of ordinary people in the area."

Meanwhile, The Walter Segal Self Build Trust - a small national charity committed to helping those in housing need build their own homes is running a course at The Evergreen Community Centre, Penrith, on Saturday, February 19. For further information, call 01905-749665.