Riverside, Carlisle’s largest provider of social housing, have partnered with Esh Border Construction to build the new homes at Ashness Drive, Morton. The development will provide 18 affordable homes for rent with a mix of two, three and four bedroom houses. Morton is a popular residential area of Carlisle, and is Riverside’s largest and most sustainable neighbourhoods with over 1100 properties owned and maintained by the social landlord. The new development lies behind the site of the former Border Terrier Public House which has been cleared for housing development by a local developer.
John Stevenson, Conservative MP for Carlisle said ‘I was pleased to see the early stages of this development on Ashness Drive. The new houses will contribute to the community of Morton and I am looking forward to seeing them when the site is completed. Increasing the number of quality homes being built in Britain is very important and I welcome house building schemes such as this one that will provide new homes in Carlisle.’
John Wood, Executive Director for Riverside said. “Riverside delivered 94 affordable new homes in Cumbria last year and we are really pleased to see a commitment to improving housing supply being near the top of the new Government’s agenda. However we are in the midst of an unprecedented housing crisis, the Government has committed to end the housing crisis within a generation and we are looking to them to increase investment across all types of housing. It is right to be looking to extend home ownership for first time buyers, and this is a major priority for Riverside too – we build around 250 homes for sale each year but we are also keen to build more Homes for Britain like this exciting new development for affordable rent.”
The build will be a highly insulated timber framed construction to minimise the effects of rising energy costs on tenants. The development is being funded by Riverside, with Homes and Communities Agency grant of £405,000. The new homes are due for completion in May 2016
Simon Phillips, Regional Managing Director, Esh Border Construction said: “Ashness Drive is going to be a fantastic development which will provide much needed affordable housing in this area. This is an exciting project and Esh Border Construction really understands the aims of Riverside which makes this a very valuable partnership for both organisations.”