Plans for 164 new homes in a West Cumbrian town have been approved, despite local opposition.
Gleeson Homes applied to build the estate on land south of Daleview Gardens in Egremont.
Members of Cumberland Council’s planning committee considered the application at a meeting at the Copeland Centre in Whitehaven yesterday, Wednesday July 17.
The site is currently two fields.
The scheme has sparked outrage in the town, with protest banners appearing near the site, highlighting concerns over an increase in traffic near local schools, potholes and the homes being built on agricultural land.
Resident Jessica Stamper told the committee: “It would create a massive impact on the traffic in that road.
She said there was also farm traffic in the area and a number of near misses which had been reported to a local headteacher. She added: “In the mornings traffic down there is at an absolute standstill.”
Helen Park, also a local resident, said that the top field was still being farmed and she was due to hand in a petition with more than 400 signatures against the scheme.
She said local services were already struggling and there were 2,000 empty properties across Cumbria. She added: “Why do we need more?”
But planning officer Christie Burns told members it was not considered to have a detrimental impact on either the surrounding area or highway safety and it was recommended for approval subject to a number of conditions.
Jordan Tyson, Gleeson’s land manager, told members the development would involve wildflower and tree planting and it represented an investment worth millions of pounds to the town.
He said the firm provided more affordable home than any other developer in the Cumberland Council area and the plan was supported by the town council.
Councillor Linda Jones-Bulman (Cleator Moor East and Frizington, Labour) said she shared objectors’ concerns over food security and added: “This is agricultural land and it’s a concern. We’ve no control over what the landowner wants to do with the land.”
Councillor Tony Markley (Solway Coast, Conservative) said the highways department were happy with the proposals and he asked whether the landowner had willingly sold the land?
He was told by an officer that was the case and the land was an allocated site for development by the council.
Councillor Chris Southward (Denton Holme, Labour) proposed that they follow the recommendation to approve the scheme subject to conditions and he was seconded by councillor Roger Dobson (Corby and Hayton, Lib Dems).
When it was put to the vote members agreed and granted planning permission.
