The housing boom in the Wigton area shows no sign of slowing down, as council chiefs say hundreds of new homes are needed over the next five years.

According to Allerdale Council’s draft housing strategy, at least 44 “affordable” homes need to be built in the town – and its surrounding parishes – every year until 2021 to meet demand.

The authority says there is a shortage of all types of housing across the district and it has now put together a plan of how to increase the stock.

In the Wigton area, Allerdale says that 13 one-bed properties, eight two-bed properties and 15 four-bed properties, all classed as affordable, are needed every year.

The figures back up the growing trend of developers targeting the town for larger housing schemes.

Story Contracting already has planning permission for a 79-home development off Station Hill and has its eye on land off Lowmoor Road where it wants to build 50 houses.

Further along Lowmoor Road, Persimmon Homes is hoping to build 220 houses.

Controversial plans for 60 new homes on land off West Road, opposite Innovia’s research and development building, are also still on the table, with the final decision lying with the Government following an appeal. Among those new houses needed for Wigton, the council says that eight one-bed properties are needed specifically for “older people”. It cited the Fairview Court development, on the former Huntington’s Garage site in South End, and a similar scheme in Keswick as examples of how 111 homes for “older people” have already been delivered in recent years.

In the housing strategy document, “Improving Lives – Improving Housing”, the council explains its stance. “Providing access to good-quality housing of a suitable type, size and tenure for all is an aspirational goal of Allerdale Council to give residents of Allerdale a higher quality of life with opportunities for them to grow whilst living in mixed and sustainable communities,” it reads.

“Although progress has been made since the previous housing strategy was written, much more is still required to increase and improve the housing stock across the borough and to support our most vulnerable individuals.”

The report continues: “Allerdale does not have enough housing to meet demand ; this applies across all tenures . The housing study has identified a net annual affordable housing need of 175 properties. In addition we need to meet open market demand over the next five years.

“While 404 affordable homes have been delivered over the past five years, there has been under-delivery against the local plan housing target. Therefore action is required to ensure more homes are developed. Delivering new homes will be challenging, but is a key priority.”

To tackle the shortfall the council says it will work with developers and speaking to parish councils and community groups to raise awareness of the need for more housing and look at what has stalled progress so far, to ensure land is developed.

In the past, concerns have been raised about the amount of new-builds being mooted for Wigton, with leaders saying the town’s infrastructure, including roads and school places, need to be upgraded.

Town mayor Alan Pitcher said: “Some people see the need, some don’t. But the strategy Allerdale has put forward says there’s a need and they have highlighted that Wigton is in need as well.”

Mr Pitcher added that in order to keep services in the town sustainable, such as the under-threat Wigton Hospital, the population needed to grow. Others have warned that building so many new houses could also pose a flood risk.

Sandra Hodson is leading a campaign against the developments on Lowmoor Road, citing flooding as one of the main reason some residents are opposed.

She told The Cumberland News that Wigton doesn’t need more houses and pointed at the number of empty properties.

“Allerdale Council has already approved at least 220 new houses to be built in Wigton, they will be coming here whatever,” she said. “Wigton doesn’t have any new jobs coming into the town so where will they work? The Innovia factory has already said it isn’t taking new people on for three years.

“The flood risk [with the Lowmoor developments] is enormous. We are not against building, just certain parts of the town due to their unique setup shouldn’t be built on.”

The council is currently consulting on their draft strategy and is inviting residents to get in touch with their thoughts. The consultation runs until August 24 and the draft strategy document can be viewed on www.allerdale.gov.uk.