By James Johnson

Last updated at 13:38, Wednesday, 02 May 2012

A multi-million pound scheme to provide affordable homes in the centre of Penrith is set to open next week.

The £3 million Penrith New Squares project will open on Tuesday offering 28 homes.

Some residents have already moved into new properties on Kilgour Street ahead of the occupying of other properties, developed by Sainsbury’s and constructed by Thomas Armstrong.

Resident Stuart Crook, 23, returned from the army in January, and initially had problems finding suitable accommodation.

The Sellafield security worker’s family had to stay with his wife Rachel’s family, before moving in to the new property.

Stuart said: “It will take a few more weeks to get settled in.

“It’s handy because we don’t need to use a car.

“We sent in some paperwork and moved in on the 16th of April.

“It was all timed really well.”

The new development is comprised of 18 two-bedroom apartments, six three-bedroom houses and four two-bedroom houses.

The scheme was made possible by £1.1m funding from the Homes and Communities Agency.

Riverside has also agreed to manage a second phase of the development for £1.8m.

Another aspect of the New Square development is the Sainsbury’s supermarket which opened in November, creating 250 jobs.

By autumn 22 retails units, making a total of 930,000 square feet, are projected to be ready this autumn.

Eventually there will also be 161 new homes, including social housing managed by Riverside.

Thomas Armstrong Construction site manager Ralph Kennerley said: “It’s gone quite well and is in the final throes.

“The project started 50 weeks ago and now it opens on Tuesday.

“I think everybody that has seen the houses likes them because they’re all different.

“Next we will work on another section.”

Dr Robin Hooper, Eden Council’s chief executive, said that the new development will limit the threat from out-of-town developments and increase the amount of money people spend in the district.

First published at 11:28, Wednesday, 02 May 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk