Four new affordable homes in Keswick are ready – after nearly a decade of delays.
The houses have been built on behalf of Keswick Community Housing Trust on land owned by the town’s Methodist church.
Work on Southey Court began in October 2019, following the demolition of the church hall, and the construction of three three-bed and one two-bed houses on the site was completed last spring.
But according to trust chairman Bill Bewley, the land was first earmarked for development in 2013.
“Initially there were prolonged discussions with the church about what would actually be built on the land – they were looking for something more multi-functional at first,” he said.
“Then the utilities companies had us jumping through hoops about getting the site connected up, until eventually we managed to work out a solution. But before we knew it, eight years had passed.”
The houses were built by Thomas Armstrong Ltd.
“We selected the occupants last October, and so it’s fantastic to finally be able to hand over the keys,” said Mr Bewley.
“Some have endured some pretty difficult times and with further delays due to COVID shut-downs they must have thought it would never happen.”
The trust was founded in 2009 to provide affordable housing for working people and families in Keswick.
Since then it has built up a property portfolio of 40 houses across four developments.
Applicants for houses are assessed against a number of criteria, including genuine housing need, that they are unable to buy or rent privately at prevailing prices
and that they have strong connections to the town.
