THE first residents have begun moving into new affordable housing following the completion of a multi-million pound development.

The 43 homes - a mixture of houses and flats - have been built on the site of the former Berners swimming pool in Grange. The “Cedric Walk” scheme cost £6m in total.

Two Castles Housing Association, working with Esh Property Services, will sell 11 with the remaining 32 rented to people with an existing connection to the town.

Rob Brittain, the association’s property services director, said: “With thousands of South Lakeland families on the housing waiting list, these new homes are helping to address the ever pressing need to build quality affordable homes.”

The vision for the scheme was developed by the Berners Grange Project Group with support from South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) and Grange Town Council. Part-funded with an investment from the Homes and Communities Agency, the scheme was also made possible thanks to SLDC agreeing to sell the land for £1 and making available a grant of £230,000.

Councillor Heidi Halliday, SLDC portfolio holder for housing and strategic development, said: “This contributes to our long-term ambitions for 1,000 new affordable homes for rent in South Lakeland by 2025.”