A Cumbrian village's 'first major development' in years has released new shared ownership properties.

Castles and Coasts Housing Association (CCHA) has announced four new shared ownership homes on the Summerscales development in Gosforth.

The development will provide 20 mixed tenure homes for people that live and work in the area.

The shared ownership units allow individuals to purchase a share of a property and pay rent on the remaining portion.

Over time, homeowners can buy additional shares, known as 'staircasing' until they own 80 per cent.

The properties have been designed to blend in with the village and Lake District National Park (Image: Castles and Coasts) All homes at Summerscales are subject to local occupancy restrictions to ensure they 'help sustain' the community.

The properties blend 'contemporary design with local sandstone features,' which 'fit in' with the village and Lake District National Park.

David Brown, head of development at CCHA, said: "Shared ownership at Castles and Coasts makes homeownership more accessible and affordable for everyone.

"We’re delighted to offer four plots on this high-quality development in Gosforth.

"This project marks a significant step in addressing local housing need.

"We hope that the new homes give people with a local connection the opportunity to live in this thriving rural community."

The homes, part-funded by Homes England and built by Thomas Armstrong, incorporate eco-friendly design elements, including solar PV panels.

They boast a minimum energy performance rating of B, with many achieving an A rating.

The development also includes two plots for sale on the open market, which were reserved within two weeks of release last month.

Additional plots, some of which will be available through 'Rent to Buy', are set to be released at a later date.