By Chris Story

Published at 11:12, Saturday, 16 February 2013

People are being asked where they think nearly 2,800 new homes should be built.

Tackling issues surrounding housing – particularly affordable homes – is one of the biggest priorities facing Cumbria.

Problems are most keenly felt in Eden, where property prices are among the highest in the county.

The district’s population is expected to grow by 2,500 by 2025.

District council chiefs are now looking at where new homes to house them should be built.

As plans are being drawn up they are launching an eight-week public consultation.

Eden leader Gordon Nicholson said: “From February 22 we are inviting people to give us their views on the preferred sites the council has identified to meet the needs of our growing and ageing population over the next 12 years.

“The council has a statutory obligation to identify sites where new housing can be built, so we need local people’s views so the most suitable sites come forward.

“It is estimated that an additional 2,792 homes are required over the next 12 years in the district, but these homes will only be built if and when the market demands it.

“A key part of this consultation alongside the preferred sites, are the draft polices covering the housing mix required, including affordable homes.”

A series of drop-in events to gauge opinions is taking place.

The new homes could be built on any of 63 sites across the district, all of which are detailed in the consultation document.

More than 2,000 of the new houses – 60 per cent – are earmarked for Penrith, which has not had many developments over the last decade.

Another 20 per cent will be spread over the market towns of Kirkby Stephen, Appleby and Alston. The rest will go to 46 villages in the district which have potential to support developments.

Currently, there are more than 1,000 names on the council’s waiting list for affordable homes. A home in the district typically costs eight times the average salary in the area.

The council aims to make 30 per cent of the new homes affordable.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk