Villagers have hit out at Copeland planners who are set to give the go ahead to a major new housing estate close to a primary school.

A 100-home scheme has been recommended for approval at Moresby Parks despite objections from nearby homeowners.

But planning officers have suggested the council backs the scheme and say the development would meet the housing need locally, benefit education provision and help alleviate existing drainage problems.

Residents yesterday expressed their anger that the proposals for land off School Brow, either side of Moresby School, look set to get the go-ahead.

Carrie Branch, whose son has Cri-du-Chat syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, and attends Moresby School, said: “I complained bitterly when we first heard about this. I put it all in writing but I’m assuming it was just shredder fodder. My little boy has got special needs, from a safety point of view it is already a busy, busy road. We don’t need more cars when walking to school.

“We picked Moresby because it is small and quiet, since it is a quiet village school he gets a lot of support. The noise level will not be acceptable. He has narrow airwaves and a cold can put him in hospital, is he supposed to sit inside and miss out on playtime while they build?”

And Paul Kelly, who lives opposite the proposed estate, said: “The school isn’t big enough for new houses, the roads are not adequate and there’s flooding issues all the time.

“The whole village is against it, it’s absolutely ridiculous. Whenever there is heavy rain the fire service has to come out to pump away water. It’ll be bedlam at the school, it will be a rat run and there will be issues over children’s safety.”

There are 39 letters, and a petition with 144 signatures, objecting to the development.

But a report by planning officers said: “The development would result in a number of benefits in terms of education provision, car parking at the school, highway safety improvements, the potential to help alleviate existing drainage problems and the provision of affordable housing.

“These benefits when considered collectively are considered to carry substantial weight and would justify this application being approved as an exception in advance of any formal allocation.”

Three letters of support have also been submitted.

The decision will be made at a meeting of Copeland’s planning panel on Wednesday (January 18) at 2pm in Whitehaven Civic Hall.