Story Homes has paid £365,983 to Cumberland Council, honouring the financial commitments made under the Section 106 requirement regarding its Oakleigh Fields development in Carlisle.

This payment represents just a portion of the total contributions which will be generated by the development.

Of the recent amount, £305,660 was the second and final payment towards secondary school provision in Carlisle.

It followed an earlier instalment of £303,278 in May, taking the firm's total education contribution to £608,939.

The remainder of the payment is earmarked for improvements to recreational areas within the west of the city.

The open spaces of Yewdale and Richmond Green will benefit from £17,120.

Local children will benefit from a £24,820 investment in a play area in Yewdale, and the Richard Rose Morton Academy will see £18,382 used to enhance its sports pitches.

The remaining 50 per cent of funding will grace the community assets next year when the rest of the contributions will be paid, expected to reach the council by Summer.

As well as delivering affordable housing, the Oakleigh Fields development also aims to contribute significantly to supporting education provision and the creation and rejuvenation of recreational spaces within the community.

Land Manager at Story Homes, Paul Fenton, said: “Story Homes is committed to delivering high quality new homes in areas where families can safely access the local services and amenities that are available to them.

“The homes that we build are part of wider communities, and we recognise how important it is for communities to have access to quality education, open spaces and recreational facilities.

"We are therefore pleased to have made these significant financial contributions which will not only benefit new residents at Oakleigh Fields, but also existing residents in the local area."

For more on the Oakleigh Fields project, visit www.storyhomes.co.uk.