Four new flats will be completed in a Lake District town later this year – and only be available to rent.
A former shop in Keswick is being converted into the one-bedroom apartments in a scheme developed by Allerdale council.
At the authority’s executive meeting held yesterday, July 20, councillors agreed to lease the properties to an affordable housing provider for an initial period of five years.
It is expected that rent on the flats would be charged at 80 per cent of the open market rate.
The council’s housing team has already identified a need for affordable one-bedroom properties in the town.
Deputy leader of the council Marion Fitzgerald said: “We have a commitment to help people with their housing needs. Therefore, I’m really pleased to be able to recommend that we lease these properties to an affordable housing provider.
“Housing is such a hot topic in Keswick where demand is extremely high. We want to do everything we can to help people – such as those who work in the town on a low income – to be able to afford to live there too. This proposal will also mean that the properties will remain in the rental market for those who want to live in the town.
“This project has also brought an empty building back into use, and due to the location of the properties in the centre of the town, will help to maintain a thriving town centre.”
The properties on Otley Road are due to be completed in the early autumn.
At the end of the five-year period, a longer-term decision on the future use of the flats will be taken by the new Cumberland Council unitary authority, which comes into being next April.
