Plans to build nearly 200 homes on the edge of Carlisle have been given the go-ahead.

The site next to the Carleton Clinic – east of Cumwhinton Road – was put up for sale by the cash-strapped Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust , which deemed it surplus to its long-term requirements.

Despite promising that the money raised from the land sale will be used to improve services in other areas, the 189-home development by Taylor Wimpey has met strong opposition from people living in the area.

Concerns were also raised by city councillors who said it will lead to increased traffic congestion.

Rival developer Persimmon has also been given permission for a further development in the area and Labour councillors Jo Williams, Robert Burns and Lee Sherriff had all previously said that access roads close to the site – and the nearby A6 – would not be able to cope with an increase in traffic.

However, a letter sent to the city council by Michael Smillie, the trust’s director of finance and strategy, said the trust has been encouraged by the Government to bring forward surplus public sector land for housing.

Mr Smillie said this would both allow the Government to meet its own targets for housing and provide financial support for trusts locally.

The letter said: “It is evident that the trust is already investing in local public service infrastructure and we have plans to continue this further locally in future, funded by the capital receipt from this land sale.”

Some residents wrote to the council expressing concern that the development, along with Persimmon’s, would have a substantial effect on traffic in the area.

Brian Rudd, of Garlands Road, said: “I know only too well the existing problems with the road traffic, often having near-misses coming out my drive, as well as the existing problems in the area.”

He added: “The possibility of another 800-plus vehicles using these roads is far too much and is going to be extremely dangerous.”