Angry residents have won their fight to stop two holiday homes being built close to the Solway Coast.

Several homeowners in Boustead Hill, Burgh by Sands, had voiced their opposition to plans put forward by Jonathan Brown to build two units on land adjacent to Boustead Hill House. Many spoke at a meeting of Carlisle City Council's development control committee to say that the units - one one-bedroom and one four-bedroom home - were not in keeping with the character of the hamlet.

Concerns were raised that the units would be considered "party houses" due to the fact they would be able to accommodate more than one family and that noise levels would be an issue. Further concerns were also raised regarding the number of parking spaces, drainage and the black cladding that would be used on the front of the properties.

John Collier, Conservative councillor for Burgh by Sands also joined residents in calling for the committee to refuse the plans.

"In my time here, I've never seen so many people wanting to speak to voice their objection," he said. "If you allow this to go ahead, it will destroy Boustead Hill. I would ask you to listen to what the local people have said."

However Mr Brown, the man behind the proposed development, dismissed claims that the two properties would be "party houses".

"They would be used by my family, my friends and my extended family," he said. "They would not be there to make a profit, they would be rented out selectively to people I know and trust to enjoy the area."

Mr Brown, who now lives in Liverpool, explained that the site had been under the ownership of his family for more than 100 years. "My great grandfather, my grandfather and my father all farmed here," he said. "This is all we have left and I want to make sure my children can come back to where they have roots and enjoy the Solway coast."

He also said that he had an agreement in place with a cousin who still lived in the area to manage the properties, but despite his argument, councillors voted overwhelming in favour of refusing the application.