Leading councillors in Cumbria have met with a national housebuilder to discuss how to help more local people get on the property ladder.
Jonathan Brook, leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, and his cabinet colleagues, were hosted by Persimmon at their Woodberry Heights and Carleton Meadows developments in Penrith, which are delivering over 500 new homes between them.
The sites, on the edge of the town, will see 168 properties across the two developments transferred to the council and local housing associations.
Councillors were given a tour of the newest phase under construction, meeting some of the local apprentices currently working on the site.
Nearly £2 million has been paid to the local authority by Persimmon in funding contributions for investment in local education provision and transport infrastructure.
As well as discussions around housing delivery and job creation, Coun Brook and cabinet members were briefed on the issue of nutrient neutrality regulations, which are being blamed for delaying in excess of 160,000 new homes across the country.
The issue is of particular significance in Cumbria with the proposed garden village at Carlisle under threat as a result.
Cabinet member for housing and homelessness Judith Derbyshire, said: “Westmorland and Furness Council is already a significant social landlord, after inheriting housing stock from Barrow and Eden.
“It is our intention to build on that solid foundation by working with partners, like Persimmon, to invest in and support the development of more much needed council owned and affordable housing across the area.
“We’re delighted that a further six three-bedroom homes were transferred to council ownership on this Penrith development, at the end of August.
“Those properties will join the homes already transferred by Persimmon, with a further six three-bedroom homes to be transferred in December, followed by an apartment block consisting of six two-bedroom apartments in December 2024, bringing the total number of council-owned properties on the development to 81.”
Cabinet member for sustainable communities and localities Virginia Taylor, said: “The council is keen to explore opportunities for providing more affordable and sustainable housing options for local communities in Westmorland and Furness.
“Partnerships with developers – such as Persimmon – will be key to unlocking those opportunities and ensuring that local people can afford to live, work and raise their families in their own communities.
“With that in mind, it was also instructive to hear the perspective of a major property developer, like Persimmon, on how the shortage of skilled local labour affects their plans – as well as planning hold-ups such as Natural England’s strict rules on nutrient neutrality.
“We are keen to work with and support developers to mitigate such problems, in order to secure fit-for-purpose, affordable and sustainable housing that meets the needs of local communities.”
