By Victoria Brenan

Published at 10:51, Saturday, 14 July 2012

More than 40 “obsolete” homes look set to be demolished after a £10 million scheme to build apartments for the over 55s in Keswick was given the go-ahead.

The scheme, by Your Housing Group, was opposed by a 52-name petition and nearly 150 objectors, concerned about a failure to build more homes for young people and a lack of car parking.

The 69-apartment plan will replace 42 homes which currently stand boarded up in Greta Court in Crow Park Road.

The plans were also opposed by Keswick town council because of the 21 proposed car parking spaces which they said was inadequate in an area already beset by parking problems.

The Lake District National Park approved the scheme following a 90-minute debate, with nine out of 10 councillors supporting it.

Your Housing Group, based in Manchester, was formerly Harvest Housing Group, which includes the Derwent and Solway Housing Association. It owns the land and has 280 properties in the Keswick area.

YHG said they were unable to say when demolition would start but described the current flats as obsolete and said they were pleased with the decision.

“We will now continue to work with the Lake District National Park Authority and Cumbria County Council,” the firm said.

The company has to provide £12,500 for a new traffic management scheme in nearby roads as part of the agreement.

Margaret Latimer, who lives nearby in The Headlands, said the town “desperately” needed affordable housing for young people.

“Is this oversized development really the best option?” she said.

“This year, from January to April, 192 people had bids for just eight affordable homes.”

Planning officer Nick Thompson said the homes were self care, not sheltered housing or a nursing home. He agreed that the current flats were “past their sell by date”.

The new development will provide an extra 27 homes. Forty seven of the 69 flats are classed as affordable local needs housing.

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