A derelict country pub and its car park will be converted into houses after council planners give it the thumbs up.

However, plans to transform the White Quey, near Durdar, Carlisle, into two houses and build three more elsewhere on the site were almost rejected by Carlisle City Council's planning committee.

During a meeting on Friday six councillors voted for approval and six against with the scheme eventually getting the green light due to the chairman, Ann Warwick, having the casting vote and deciding to approve the plans.

Those voting against, along with a host of local residents, raised a number of concerns about the application.

In particular there are fears about building extra units in the countryside.

Resident Carol Robson spoke at the meeting and said people in the site's immediate area had been refused permission to alter their houses because conversion of buildings was accepted but creating new footprint wasn't.

"I would like to ask members of the committee why they are being asked to recommend an exception," she said.

She added added that the site was outside an established village centre, with no facilities, and even though there was a primary school nearby there was no walkway to it.

"If you approve this application then what you are doing is saying this council prepared to make an exception for an investor who doesn't live in the area, but you are not prepared to make an exception for local residents who want to stay in the area when they become old," Ms Robson continued.

She also said that by giving planning permission to the White Quey's owners, MW SIPP Trustees Ltd, the council would be setting a precedent for further development in open countryside, especially on land adjacent to the former pub.

The old pub, which has been branded an eyesore, has been empty for more than 10 years and over that time has been the victim of vandalism and burglaries.

In 2014 planning permission was granted to convert the old pub into four homes with one new build on the site, however, no work was ever carried out.

As part of a 2012 housing application its owners suggested there was no realistic chance of it reopening as a pub. It was sold for £200,000 at auction in 2010 to the trustees of a private pension plan.

As part of their latest bid the applicants say that the development is not financially viable without the new builds on the site.

Councillor Ray Bloxham said: "I have grave concerns about this application.

"First of all the applicant has done nothing to tidy up this site, it's a danger."

He added: "I don't think we are in the business of making it viable for the developer."

Fellow committee member Hugh McDevitt said: "I've heard so many if, buts, whys and whens. We are dealing with this in front of us now.

"If there's alternations to this it will have to come back to a future planning committee which will be there decision."

Heather Bradley, a councillor for Currock, said: "It concerns me that if nothing is done with this site it will continue to be an eyesore."

In a report to the committee, planning officer Christopher Hardman wrote: "Subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions the appearance of the premises and the surrounding area can be safeguarded however, the scheme should ensure that no more than five units are constructed including two in the converted building."

In total six letters of objection were sent to the council.

Among people's other concerns were that new housing on the site could cause flooding in Ratten Row.