Last updated 19:24, Thursday, 20 November 2008

A HOUSING developer has scaled down plans for a new estate in Workington because of the credit crunch.

Persimmon Homes Lancashire won permission for 138 homes on a site near Moss Bay Road last year.

But it has now re-submitted a new version of the plans to reflect reduced demand in the housing market. The company now wants to erect 119 homes at Forgehill Park.

Mark Cook, managing director of Persimmon Homes Lancashire, said the company had revised the number of apartments in the plans.

“This decision was made to reflect what we feel is a changing market place,” he said.

“At this stage we are unable to confirm when the development will start as we have yet to receive approval on our application.

“In the meantime we would like to reaffirm our commitment to providing much-needed new homes in the region.”

The latest application will include 36 two-bedroom houses; 74 three-bedroom houses, three one-bedroom flats and six two-bedroom flats.

The houses are planned for part of the site formerly used by Corus Steelworks for office and recreational facilities.

The plans include significant landscaping.

The latest development follows plans submitted to the council last month for an ambitious £100m transformation of land adjacent to the site.

Property firm Eatonfield Developments is planning to include 651 houses and apartments, shops, hotels, and leisure facilities including tennis courts, a swimming pool and a bowling green at the former Corus steelworks on Derwent Howe. It is likely to create a new neighbourhood within the town.

The development could include offices, a pub, play barn, retail outlets, a restaurant, hotel, business park, shops, leisure facilities, a spa, community centre, a 40-bed care home with a mixture of apartments, houses and bungalows.

Plans will also include a health centre, clinic, doctors’ and dental surgery, and a care and retirement village.

Eatonfield expects to start work on site in 2010 with the laying down of the main road and drainage systems.

The development of residential and commercial outlets is then expected to begin in 2012 over a five-year programme.