Residents have breathed a sigh of relief after controversial plans for 60 homes were thrown out.

An application was submitted by Carlisle-based North Associates to build the properties on land just off West Road, opposite Innovia Films, in Wigton.

The plans drew criticism from scores of people living in the town, who said the development would be detrimental to the environment and also posed a flood risk.

Allerdale Council approved the application in 2015.

But the development was put on hold following Storm Desmond, with the authority requesting further details of the potential flood risk, in line with Environment Agency policy.

The council has now disposed of the plans.

After the application was submitted, a group – Wigton Save Our Space – was set up and called on Allerdale to reject the proposals.

It said that the area around the Flosh beck, where it meets the Wiza beck, is susceptible to flooding and the planned housing would increase that risk.

“It's been about four years since the application was submitted,” campaigner Rose Anne O'Hea told The Cumberland News.

“It's not very often that you hear about a planning application being denied but we're pleased it has been.”

The group argued that should the application go ahead, it would have an impact on both the nearby cycle path and Phoenix Park.

“You've just got to go to the park to see how popular it is,” Rose Anne said.

“It's used by lots of schoolchildren and the Brownies, Rainbows and Beavers.

“It was rejuvenated by the community and the cycle path was also the idea of the children.

"They're both things that the community wanted and that the community has saved.

"Roger Liddle, the county councillor for Wigton, was also very supportive of us.”

An officer's report from Allerdale Council revealed that the plans were disposed of after North Associates did not submit further details regarding the potential flood risk.

It said: "It is acknowledged that the site incorporates medium and high risk flood zones and has flooded historically.

"A flood risk assessment (FRA) was submitted with the application, which concludes that subject to the inclusion of the recommended flood storage and management measures included within in it, the proposed development is acceptable from a flood risk perspective.

"Whilst this assessment was considered to be valid at the time of the submission of the application officers consider that, due to the passage of time, this is no longer the case.

"The Environment Agency has since revised the allowances for climate change and require more details following the flood events in Cumbria during December 2015.

"An updated assessment has not been received.

"Officers conclude that there is insufficient and current information to determine whether the proposed development would be liable to or exacerbate flood risk."