A LACK of affordable housing in two Lake District villages has sparked residents into action.

Concerned neighbours from Patterdale and Glenridding are forming a community land trust to help them plan new housing in the parish.

Thanks to the results of a housing needs survey, the trust members discovered at least nine households in the parish need affordable homes, and 25 households need or want to move in the next five years.

With support from Eden District Council’s community housing fund, they have set up the Patterdale Parish Community Land Trust to try to find solutions.

Maddy Teasdale, the chair, said: “The formation of the CLT is the result of several years of work, and the survey results are evidence of the problem of the lack of affordable housing in our community.

“Around 40 per cent of the houses in our parish are second homes or holiday lets, and house prices and private rents are unaffordable for most people here. We need to keep our young people living and working in the dale, and with the CLT we will be able to provide affordable, local needs housing that will help to keep our community sustainable and vibrant.”

Robert Docherty, deputy director of environmental services at Eden District Council, said he hoped more communities would come forward to access funding to help research and develop their housing needs.

If you could like to get involved with the Patterdale Parish Community Land Trust, contact: Maddy Teasdale on 017684-82534, or visit the group’s Facebook page ‘Ullswater Affordable Housing Group’.