By Anna Burdett and Julian Whittle

Last updated at 12:15, Saturday, 18 August 2012

Two new housing developments on the edge of Carlisle will deliver a much-needed jobs boost and nearly 100 low-cost homes for local families.

Persimmon Homes Lancashire has already started preliminary work on its Brackenleigh scheme next to The Beeches in Wigton Road. It plans to build 253 homes over 10 years.

And city councillors have given the green light to the first phase of Story Homes’ Crindledyke development to the north of the city.

Work there is expected to start this autumn, creating 100 construction jobs.

Councillors were full of praise when Story’s detailed plans, which already had outline consent, went before the development control committee yesterday.

Labour’s William Whalen said: “This development has been treated with great sensitivity and care.”

The first phase of 184 two, three and four-bedroom properties will included 42 ‘affordable’ homes.

These will be available to local people at 30 per cent below market value or on a shared-ownership basis through a housing association.

More low-cost homes will follow in later phases of Story’s scheme, along with a new primary school.

Similarly, Persimmon’s Brackenleigh project includes 56 ‘affordable’ properties for sale or rent and the company will contribute £804,000 towards the cost of a new primary school in Morton.

Persimmon expects Brackenleigh to create jobs but is not saying how many.

It is already laying foundations for the first homes. Work should start in earnest next month.

Managing director Mark Cook said: “Road access is being constructed and the marketing suite will be open by September so the public will be able to find more information about the homes we’re building.”

Bold action to kick-start house industry has been called for after figures showed the number of new properties started in England has fallen to a three-year low. A total of 21,540 homes were begun during the three months to the end of June, a 10 per cent fall compared with the previous quarter.

At Brackenleigh, there will be a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes to be completed in three phases. The first should be ready by the end of the year.

Mr Cook added: “In addition to providing new homes, employment has been boosted with a number of new staff taken on and this is expected to increase as work progresses. We always use local tradesmen so we keep work in and around the Carlisle area.”

Each property will have a garden and at least one parking space.

Access for vehicles is from Wigton Road and through The Beeches.

There will also be a cycle and footpath link to Hebden Avenue in Morton West, 10 acres of ‘amenity space’ and smaller open spaces within the site.

Story expects to build between 40 and 60 homes each year at Crindledyke.

Its plans show 19 property types, finished mainly in brick but with some render and stone, and three types of roof tile to add visual interest. They will be up to three storeys high with the tallest buildings at the centre of the development.

First published at 10:49, Saturday, 18 August 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk