Objectors fear new homes would “irreversibly damage” their picturesque village, which falls within an area classed as being of outstanding natural beauty.

A number of people are against plans to build new houses in Castle Carrock.

About 30 people have spoken out against proposals from the Carlisle Diocesan Board of Finance.

It has applied for outline planning permission to build up to nine new homes, including two classed as ‘affordable’, on undeveloped land off Rectory Road.

The proposed development, objectors say, would, “irreversibly damage the nature of this beautiful, unique country village surrounded by green fields,” and “destroy the outlook from the village to the south east aspect, particularly for those who live on Rectory Road”.

There are also worries that more houses would mean increased traffic on the already busy road through the village and fears that these nine homes could be just the start of a phased development.

Comments were also made that the village doesn’t have the drainage or sewerage infrastructure to support the current 110 homes.

Alison Goodchild (CORR) , who lives opposite the proposed site, said her main concerns were that the development falls within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) - and the impact the new housing would have on the character of the village.

She said: “I feel so strongly about letting yet another development of houses happen in our village.

“In the last eight years there’s been about 20 new properties built and any more would have a detrimental effect on the character of our village.

“We are a close-knit community and the building of yet more houses risks spoiling the feel of our village.

“We are a village and want to stay this way. There’s no reason why it needs to be expanded over and over.”

Simon Wilson, planning and strategic access officer and biodiversity lead of the North Pennies AONB Partnership, said: “We have some concerns that the development would not necessarily be a natural or organic addition to the settlement.

“This is a greenfield site on the edge of the village that, if developed, would extend the settlement boundary.”

Another villager said: “This application, if approved, will extend a small village which has no work prospects, no public transport, no shop, no deliveries of newspapers and only a very minimal outreach post office service.

“If the plan is to seem in any way beneficial to the village I suggest it would only be so if it were to include a local community shop.”

The proposed development, which also includes plans for a new access road, will cover just over an acre of the 3.7 acre field.

The potential sale of two plots has been discussed with a housing association.

The Diocese of Carlisle said the land is classified as “glebe” land and any proceeds from the sale would help to pay clergy salaries and pensions.

“It is essential that, as the diocese continues to focus on its missional work, all such opportunities are explored in order that we can continue to grow God’s Kingdom in Cumbria,” said a spokesman.

Castle Carrock School supports the application on the condition that the developer offers a financial contribution.

Meanwhile plans to convert Gelt Hall, an historic mansion house, into two houses and to build six more in the garden are also being considered by planners.

Three objections have been received while another neighbour has voiced concern about the width of the current access road.