First families move into new homes at Penrith New Squares

Riverside tenants are now settled into their new homes in the heart of Penrith and keys will be handed over to the tenants of the new apartments this week. The new residents are really pleased with their new homes. Deborah Atkinson and her two young sons are amongst the first families to move into the new homes on Kilgour Street in Penrith. Deborah said: “I lived in Crown Terrace in Penrith previously, an area which can be noisy at evenings and weekends when people are out socialising. We are really enjoying living in the new house on Kilgour Street and having the extra outdoor space is great for the children.”

The Penrith New Squares development owned by Sainsbury’s has been constructed by Thomas Armstrong and consists of commercial retail shops, a supermarket and 85 residential units as part of Phase 1 of the project, in close to churches, bus service, doctor’s surgery, schools and leisure amenities.

A further 10 apartments for shared ownership and nine apartments for rent will be available in Autumn 2012.

Patrick Leonard, Divisional Director of Riverside in Carlisle said: “Penrith is an area which has been identified as having a significant need for affordable housing. These homes are the first Riverside will be managing in Eden District. All the tenants have local connections and could not have found comparable affordable housing in the centre of Penrith.

“The partnership working between Eden District Council, Sainsbury’s and Riverside has proved successful in delivering new homes for local families and we have agreed to manage the next phase of this development providing a further 19 homes by the end of the year.”

Eden District Council’s Housing Portfolio Holder, Councillor Lesley Grisedale said: “The 47 Riverside homes within the Penrith New Squares development will provide a range of attractively designed high quality affordable accommodation, meeting the needs of a range of local people. This includes family homes and an apartment block for people aged over 45, all of which provide affordable rented accommodation, and general needs apartments, which will be available both for rent and shared ownership. The new homes have been delivered as a result of the strong partnership developed between Sainsbury’s, Riverside and Eden District Council.”

Paul Miller, development surveyor for Sainsbury's said: "We're delighted that, in partnership with Riverside, we can deliver affordable housing for Penrith helping people to get on the property ladder.

"The rest of the Penrith New Squares development is progressing well and we've had a lot of interest in the retail space from independent and national retailers."

To welcome residents to their new homes, Sainsbury's has provided some food and household provisions as well as Sainsbury's vouchers.

Paul Miller continued: "Moving home can be a stressful time and so we've provided some essentials whilst residents settle in."

Picture shows Deborah Atkinson who shares her new home on Kilgour Street with 17 month old son Lucas