WORK is set to begin on a ‘much-needed’ social housing development in Whitehaven.

The 40-home scheme will be located at Fell View Avenue and Windermere Road in Woodhouse.

Bungalows will make up the vast majority of the homes built, addressing growing local demand for single floor and more manageable homes to be available.

It includes plans for 24 two-bed bungalows and four three-bed bungalows, as well as 12 two-bed houses.

A number of the properties will be available through shared ownership, providing further flexibility and options for local residents.

Much of the land being used to build these homes has remained vacant since being demolished over 10 years ago, and developer Home Group is keen to see it put back into use.

The housing association owns many of the nearby properties at Woodhouse, and it is hoped that the bungalows can also provide options for some customers in those homes who wish to downsize but don’t want to leave the local community.

When the planning application was first submitted for the scheme, it was passed unanimously by Copeland Council.

Elsa Brailey, head of development and delivery at Home Group said: “Providing the right homes in the right places, for the right people is central to our ethos, no more so than here in Cumbria.

“We want to make sure that people living in Cumbria, or those moving into the area, have options when it comes to choosing a house which best suits their needs.

“Downsizing can be a goal of many people, but while they may want a smaller or more manageable home they don’t want to move out of the community they love or lose the connections they’ve made.

“We want to support them to make those life choices with confidence.”

Joseph Ghayouba, a Cumberland Councillor who has called for more social housing in Whitehaven, said: “I welcome any social housing with open arms. It’s great to see affordable homes getting built for residents because there is a need.

“The only concern I have is Home Group’s performance in terms of how they handle complaints and the issues we have seen with their other properties.”