A new housing development in Keswick overlooking the Bassenthwaite valley is prioritising residents who get priced out by second home buyers.

The development is overseen by the Home Group, a housing association which owns or manages around 10,000 houses within the county.

Of the 11 houses planned, four will be leased affordably, two will be available for shared ownership, and five will be sold by Cumbria-based Atkinsons.

These homes, located in the Underskiddaw area on a former garden centre site, are two miles from the centre of Keswick.

Times and Star: The homes are located in the Underskiddaw area on a former garden centre site

They are partly funded by the Homes England Strategic Partnership scheme and all feature two bedroom properties, with upgraded specifications for shared ownership locations.

Elsa Brailey, head of development and delivery at Home Group, said: "The views from these homes are fantastic and those customers who move here are very lucky.

"What is more important is that these customers are from this area, or have spent a long time in this area and have contributed to the economy and the community."

She said having a local occupancy requirement was key to addressing the issue of people purchasing second homes used as holiday lets, which can lead to decreased population during 'off season' and disrupt community cohesion.

The first occupants of the new properties are expected to move in during the early summer.