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5th November 2007
AFFORDABLE HOUSING KEY FOR SOUTH LAKELAND
Two Castles Housing Association has pledged to continue supporting the South Lakeland area by providing even more affordable housing for the local community.

Last year South Lakeland District Council published a survey that revealed a substantial need for more affordable housing in the district. Demand is high and many local people struggle to find accommodation as properties can sometimes cost as much as ten times the average wage.

Stephanie Murphy, chief executive at Two Castles Housing Association, said: “Affordable housing is most definitely a key priority here and we are committed to continuing to contribute to the sustainability of the communities which make up South Lakeland district. We have a local office in Kendal and are very loyal to South Lakeland. ”

Two Castles has committed to many projects in the South Lakeland area and earlier this year, one of the association’s most popular developments, Caldrigg Fold in Staveley near Kendal, was hailed as a shining example of best practice in a rural affordable homes guide, launched by His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales.

John Hay, development director at Two Castles Housing Association, said: “We’ve a wealth of experience when developing in sensitive areas such as National Parks. Key workers in South Lakeland would struggle to find suitable, but affordable accommodation and would otherwise be priced out of the market if schemes such as Staveley weren’t available.

“We’re currently working on Phase III of the development - it’s an exceptional site and the properties have been snapped up by people wanting to live there. We believe there is a need to maintain sustainable, balanced communities whilst ensuring people have access to local housing at a reasonable cost - Staveley represents the best of both worlds.”

South Lakeland District Council has the tenth highest proportion of second homes (2004/5 figures for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister) and Two Castles has served the South Lakeland community for many years, pursuing the case for affordable homes.

As with all its developments, Two Castles always works closely with its partners and recently worked directly with South Lakeland District Council to build in Broughton-in-Furness on the Duddon Estuary.

The gradient of the site was almost vertical so most would have refused to build on such a steep slope. Two Castles used an innovative and unique design to overcome the problem and develop much needed affordable homes on a site that would otherwise have lain unused.

Stephanie Murphy added: “We understand the need for new homes has to be balanced with the need to preserve the landscape, but firmly believe a limited number of small scale, well designed and sustainable developments greatly benefit the South Lakeland area and its residents.

“We’re also looking for land to build on and as one of the leading affordable housing providers in the North; we can guarantee any potential land sellers that land will be used for affordable homes to help invest in the local community.”

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