Residents of Staveley and surrounding communities are invited to join an event to learn more about plans to transform a former care home into affordable housing.
The Abbey, a former Lake District care home which closed in 2020 is set to be brought back to life to provide much-needed affordable homes for individuals, couples and families.
The Cabinet of Westmorland and Furness Council agreed to the sale of The Abbey to Home Group, one of the UK’s largest housing associations. The organisation intends to redevelop the site to provide 18 homes for individuals, couples and families, helping to meet the significant demand for affordable housing in the area.
On Tuesday 7 October 2025, between 3pm and 6pm, residents are invited to the Pavilion in Staveley for a drop-in event with Home Group representatives to learn more about the plans to transform the former care home.
Officers from the Council will also be present to provide information about the agreed sale and the process behind it.
The Abbey will primarily provide affordable housing, alongside a smaller number of local occupancy dwellings, with a range of one, two and three-bedroom properties. Home Group expects to finance the scheme through the government’s new Social and Affordable Homes Programme, together with its own investment.
Research has shown a high proportion of local people in need of housing are unable to afford to buy on the open market, and housing remains one of the biggest challenges across Westmorland and Furness. The Council’s Plan identifies affordable, sustainable homes as a top priority to enable residents to live, work and thrive in rural communities.
Cllr Judith Derbyshire, Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety, said:
“Affordable housing is one of the biggest challenges facing communities in and around the Lake District, where high property prices put homes out of reach for many local people.
“The redevelopment of The Abbey will bring real benefits to Staveley, helping to keep the village vibrant and giving more local families the chance to stay close to loved ones. I would encourage residents to come along to the drop-in event to find out more about the plans and how this much-loved building will be brought back into use.”
Home Group has a strong track record of delivering affordable homes across Westmorland and Furness and Cumberland, where it already manages more than 10,000 properties. The organisation also provides social value through local jobs and apprenticeships and is committed to supporting communities as well as delivering homes.
To find out more about the sale of the Abbey, read the Council agrees sale to provide more affordable homes news article.
