A group of villagers near Carlisle are opposing plans for a new 112-home development.
Story Homes has submitted an application for planning permission to build 112 houses on land off the A69 in Scotby.
But villagers fear the estate will increase traffic fears, have an impact on wildlife and say there is a lack of nearby school places.
A resident who wanted to remain anonymous said: “Although the land is on the development plan, permission is in for more houses and the area has been extended.
“Residents feel this land should not have even been included on the development plan and certainly not to this scale.
“Story put in an application for 81 houses for the same site in 2017 but withdrew the application. Now it is in for more houses and they want to use Hill Head for construction access and emergency vehicles.”
The source said that Hill Head is a narrow road with pre-existing issues around accessibility.
Privacy concerns have also been raised about plans to build two storey houses behind bungalows.
Stephen Higgs, Carlisle city councillor for the area, said: “There’s clearly some infrastructure concerns, however the application is for a site that’s been allocated in the Carlisle Local Plan so the principal of development is established.”
Cllr Higgs is also a member of the Wetheral Parish Council which oversees Scotby as well as surrounding villages and hamlets.
“Residents came to the parish council meeting where we considered it. The parish council has objected on several grounds to what’s proposed so have many residents and I understand their concerns.”
He acknowledged that there could be wildlife in the area which may be affected by the development. “Any new development has to take account of trees that area already in place and hedgerows which are a haven for wildlife.”
He added that planning is a difficult balancing act. “Nationally there’s a need for more houses and better housing and where houses are being built it seems that they’re popular and people quite quickly buy them and move in. But they have to fit in with what’s there already.”
A spokesman from Story Homes said: “This site was allocated by Carlisle City Council for residential development in the adopted local plan in November 2016 and will help to meet local housing needs in line with the housing requirements of the district during the period 2015 to 2030.
“The proposed development is supported by a transport assessment, the scope of which has been agreed through consultation with the Highway Authority and Highways England, to ensure the proposed access arrangements are fully robust.
“A number of ecology and tree surveys have also been submitted in support of the proposed development, which conclude that the new homes will not have an unacceptable impact on ecology and wildlife found both on the site or close by.
“The proposed planting of new trees, hedgerows, shrubs and wild flower grass in areas of open space will help create new and improved habitats compared to land that is currently used for agricultural purposes.”
Residents have said that nearby schools will be unable to meet demand for new places.
But the spokesman for Story Homes said: “The layout and design of the proposed development takes account of neighbouring properties including bungalows and fully accords with local plan policies and guidance. In line with the previous planning application on this site and recent pre application consultation with the education authority, it is anticipated that Story Homes will make significant financial contributions towards providing new primary and secondary school places in local schools that are able to expand.”
