Controversial plans for 12 new homes have been given the go-ahead.

Copeland councillors approved Swift Homes Ltd's plans for the properties at Rannerdale Drive in Whitehaven.

The development of the agricultural land has been a contentious issue for over a year with residents concerned about the impact on landscape, traffic, ecology and drainage.

Last July, Swift had an application for nine homes approved by Copeland council despite 36 letters of objection. These new plans will now increase this number to 12.

Around 10 residents turned up at the meeting to object to the application.

One said: "My concern is the inadequacy of what is proposed to safeguard us. Water comes through my garden and under my house. It's about time someone did something about it."

The new plans had been met with 19 letters of objection and one letter of support.

However solicitor Michael Sandelands, who was also at the meeting on behalf of Swift Homes Ltd, said: "It is a very good scheme and it will deliver high quality housing to Whitehaven. If anything residents should see a net benefit from this scheme."

He said flooding issues would be covered by a public drainage body or the resident's management company.

In a report to the planning meeting, it stated that: "This site lies on the edge of Whitehaven and is well related to existing residential development.

"The submitted scheme is restricted to low density bungalows which are of a high standard of design. This will enhance the choice of homes within the town and reflect an identified local housing need.

"The scheme has been designed to minimise the impacts on the adjoining residents and includes full landscaping proposals which illustrate that the development would fit into the landscape and establish a softer, more attractive edge to this part of the town."

A design and access statement from Swift Homes Ltd said: "Whilst acknowledging that any proposal for ten or more dwellings constitutes a "major" application, in planning terms the reality is that 12 dwellings is not major in terms of housing numbers.

"The difference between nine dwellings approved on the outline consent and the twelve dwellings now proposed is at best marginal.

"The nature of the development now proposed will in fact go some way to meeting the acknowledged deficit for detached executive style homes in the borough."