A Cumbrian housing developer has secured £1m in funding to help it to continue building homes in the county, despite the disruption caused by Covid-19.

Genesis Homes, based in Penrith, has secured £1m of Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme funding through Santander UK to continue its roll-out of housing development sites in the coming year.

The firm has continued to operate throughout the pandemic, despite ongoing issues with local lockdown restrictions that have reduced the number of available skilled workers and led to shortages in raw materials.

Despite this, Genesis Homes is still on track to build its target of at least 100 homes per year, amid what it says is rising demand.

Nicky Gordon, managing director of Genesis Homes, welcomed the securing of the £1m funding.

“Santander’s prompt support has allowed us to focus on securing and rolling out our intended future housing development pipeline," he said.

"When Coronavirus hit, like so many businesses it caused interruption and disruption in several areas of our business delivery.

"The CBILS facility provides us with the crucial buffer and peace of mind we need to continue our exciting and progressive development programme.

“I’d particularly like to thank David Hitchmough and Ed Clivery from Santander, who worked tirelessly with us to ensure that the facility and its provisions were adequate for our business needs.”

David Hitchmough, relationship director for Santander UK, explained that the construction of new homes is a "significant priority" for the Government.

"Genesis Homes has grown at pace over a relatively short period of time," he said.

"Genesis Homes has been a loyal customer of ours for four years and we are delighted to continue to support them as they strive to be Cumbria’s leading housebuilder.

"The CBILS funding will allow the business to adapt to challenges presented by Covid-19 restrictions and commit to its target of building at least 100 homes per year amid rising demand.”

Since launching in 2017, Genesis Homes has built and sold a total of 158 homes over five developments.

The funding package will ensure that the business can continue with its growth plans. The company generated revenues of nearly £20m in the last financial year.

The firm has a number of developments across north Cumbria, with several more on the way.

It is set to deliver new developments in Penrith, Carlisle, Lazonby and elsewhere in the near future.