By Nick Griffiths

Last updated at 15:30, Friday, 11 January 2013

Campaigners opposing plans for a housing development at Dalston have set up a Facebook page for protestors.

An artist’s impression of the proposed development in Dalston

About 525 people have also signed a petition against proposals by Cumbrian builder Story Homes, which will be presented to Carlisle City Council.

The page on the social networking site goes under the banner Dalston Development Network and will, it says, link those against the plans.

Story Homes wants to build nearly 130 homes on land close to the centre of the village, on fields between Station Road and Townhead Road.

It says the scheme would support 60 jobs while the estate is built and would be spread over four to five years.

But the petition, signed by hundreds, states: “We oppose the proposed Dalston development due to its inappropriate size, density and location.

“It will put undue pressure on existing infrastructure and amenities. It will change the rural character of the village irreversibly.”

The petition also claims it will cause increased traffic and road safety problems, adding: “We call on Carlisle City Council to reject this planning application.”

Villager and campaigner David Wilson said the petition was taken to as many residents as possible and was signed by more than 90 per cent of those people who campaigners called on.

He added: “We therefore believe that this is a convincing mandate from Dalston villagers to their representatives on the city and parish councils to oppose the application on their behalf.”

Thirty-nine people have also contacted the city council to oppose the development, according to the authority’s website.

Steve Errington, managing director at Story Homes, has described the scheme as “high quality, low density”.

He said the firm’s developments brought benefits including jobs and boosts to the local economy.

“We appreciate that some people will have concerns and we recognise that this is part of a normal, consultative process,” he added.

Plans to build three dwellings on land in Plumbland, near Aspatria, have been rejected by Allerdale council planners.

Outline permission to build three dwellings on land adjacent to Hillside had been applied for and was recommended for approval by Allerdale council planning officers, but the development panel refused them by a vote of 11 to seven.

Councillors said that the development was outside the settlement limit and there were issues with drainage and visibility.

A previous planning application for the same site was refused in 2004 on the grounds of it being outside the settlement limit.

First published at 14:41, Friday, 11 January 2013
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk