Plans have been revived to build more than 130 homes in Carlisle – but the leader of Cumbria County Council has stepped in to oppose the development.

Proposals to build 132 homes on land off a patch including St Ninian’s Road and Brisco Meadows in Upperby were submitted in 2007.

But these were shelved two years later when the applicant – Taggart Homes Carlisle – went into administration.

Now members of the city council’s development control committee have been recommended to approve plans by Cheshire-based Loving Land Limited, which do not deviate from the original layout.

However, county council leader Stewart Young, who also represents Upperby, has written to the city council to voice his objection.

Mr Young said: “One concern of mine is the amount of traffic that will be in the area if it goes ahead.

“Another reason is that the site isn’t one that’s been identified in the local plan by the city council.

“If it goes ahead, that places a burden on the county council, as education providers, to make sure that there are enough school places in the local area. There isn’t the scope to be able to do that.”

In 1973, a 16-year-old boy died from suspected methane poisoning while working down a hole on the land when it was a tip. Residents have expressed concern about development of the site for this reason.

Rachael Mason, who lives in Brisco Meadows, is opposed to the development and distributed leaflets to residents informing them that plans had been resubmitted.

She said: “I live at the back of Brisco Meadows and if they open a through road, then there’s going to be an increase in traffic coming through – that’s my biggest worry. There are quite a few children on the estate who play out in the streets so it’s a concern.

“There are also some people living here who were children when the accident happened in the 1970s and it’s still very much something that’s in their minds.”

However Eric Telford, of Aspatria-based Telford Planning Associates, which is acting as agent for Loving Land Ltd, said: “We’re aware of the history of the site and we think that the best way to minimise any future risks would be to develop it as soon as possible.

“With regards to traffic, we are aware that the county council’s highways team is asking for access to the site to only be through St Ninian’s Road and that’s something we have agreed to. We will also be installing traffic lights.”