Concerns over plans for up to 350 new homes off one Wigton road have sparked a residents’ campaign.

Spearheaded by town councillor Sandra Hodson, the campaign hopes to halt two separate planning applications for Lowmoor Road in the town.

The first has already been submitted to Allerdale council by Carlisle-based firm Story Contracting, which wants to build up to 50 houses on a piece of land opposite the existing Scholars Green estate.

The potential development would be built within three years on five acres of land which, the company says, has already been identified by Allerdale Council as suitable for housing.

However, Miss Hodson said there are serious concerns over issues such as flooding.

“Lowmoor Road is at the beginning of a flood zone off Flosh Beck,” she explained. “We can all remember how the road at South End floods every winter after rainfall.

“These two housing developments will take away valuable water catchment areas above Flosh Beck and has the potential to force water into where the doctors is now and then down into the town.”

“This is only a little B road, not a big major A main road,” Miss Hodson said.

“This is potentially more than 700 extra cars extra, and well over 1,000 people to add to our already stretched schools and medical centre.”

She also highlighted a “very dangerous entrance so close to the school bus bay” and fears for the future of the deer which are a regular sight on the fields.

Miss Hodson continued: “As a town councillor and resident, I just felt that we needed to do something – but I wasn’t quite expecting the support I got.

“We have had more than 6,000 people see our Facebook page, and we are only in our second week.”

The residents’ response has already had an impact as, thanks to their determination to have their voices heard, the decision has been called in by Allerdale Council. This means residents will each be given five minutes to speak for or against the scheme and highlight key points.

The Persimmon Homes scheme, for neighbouring fields, has not yet seen a planning application submitted to the council.

It is currently asking for residents’ views as it prepares plans for the development, for 250 to 300 houses.

The firm wants to hear concerns and important issues, which it says will shape the proposal alongside further surveys and investigations.

Miss Hodson highlighted the plans for more than 180 new homes which have all been given planning permission recently.

“Building has to be in the right places,” she added. “This is just the beginning.”

Story Contracting and Persimmon Homes declined to comment.

Residents plan to hold public meetings to gather more views.