A HOUSING developer has celebrated the approval of their 26 homes plan on the site of a former factory.

Specialist affordable housing provider Gleeson Homes has been granted planning approval for 26 units on Main Street, Whitehaven.

Phase one of the new development named Ivy Mills will see low cost 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes built on the site of a former factory.

Romar Innovate Ltd manufactured workwear and PPE at the site before downsizing to a new location in Cleator Moor.

The factory was demolished and the site cleared in 2017.

Outline planning permission was granted for up to 29 homes that year and Gleeson Homes has now been given the greenlight for a more detailed planning application.

The developer expects homes at the development to be "highly desirable."

They said that house prices are anticipated to start from £141,995 for a two bedroom home and various schemes such as the Government’s Help to Buy: Equity Loan will be available.

Construction is set to begin in February 2022 and it is estimated that work will be completed in June 2023.

Kirk Thompson, Operations Director at Gleeson said: “We are delighted to be bringing 26 fantastic new homes to Whitehaven as part of phase one Ivy Mill."

"Whitehaven is in an area that is new to Gleeson, and we are looking forward to championing the community with our affordable homes, engaging with local schools and sports teams and employing a workforce on site that will be made up of local labour and contractors.

"With our homes, we are determined to ensure that the housing market better serves young first-time buyers and families on low to average incomes."

As well as being built on a brownfield site, Gleeson Homes say that the benefits of the scheme are its proximity to multiple schools, local amenities and West Cumberland Hospital.

The developer is seeking local labour and sub-contractors to work on the development and applications are welcomed from young people who are interested in joining the Gleeson apprenticeship scheme.