The developer behind rejected plans to demolish a disused Maryport factory to make way for 65 homes has not given up on the project.

West Yorkshire firm Prospect Estates revealed plans to develop the site of the former Cumbrian Seafoods factory at Solway Industrial Estate in June and applied to Allerdale council for outline planning permission to develop a mix of houses and flats.

Planners rejected the proposal, saying the development would result in the loss of an existing employment site and that Prospect failed to demonstrate the homes would be of acceptable standard.

They also raised concerns about access and parking and said additional information had been sent to them too late.

But the plans have now been resubmitted and Rob Cooke, regional acquisitions manager at the property investment company, said the company still hoped to go ahead with its project.

The developer has also appealed to the Secretary Of State.

Mr Cooke added: "What else are we meant to do?

"We've put the plans back in and hopefully we'll get it at the end either through an appeal or the council making a decision.

"We've appealed the decision because we don't think it's right they've refused it.

"We thought we were doing the right thing bringing a rundown brownfield site into use."

Bill Barnes, who campaigned against the planned and approved housing development at Deer Park in the town, said this site was more suitable and he would be happy to see homes there.

He added: "I wouldn't have any objections to it, I think it's a lot better than building them out of town.

"I do think that it's a good idea to use brownfield sites."

Maryport Town Council chairman Angela Kendall said: "We don't want to build on all of the factory sites because hopefully one day we'll get industry back in the town.

"We know we've got to build houses but once you sell the family silver it's gone."

The fish factory, which sits on 2.4 acres of land, has not been used for several years.

At the height of production, the Maryport factory employed 300 people.