Furious villagers stormed out of a planning meeting after a controversial new housing estate in Copeland was given the go-ahead.

Permission for the 100 home scheme at Moresby Parks was passed after planning chairman, Mike McVeigh, cast the decisive vote as councillors were deadlocked.

Around 30 residents turned up at Whitehaven Civic Hall today to voice their concerns over flooding, road safety and a possibly over-subscribed nearby primary school.

Many of them angrily left the meeting stating they were unhappy with the result which saw four councillors vote for, and four against, the proposals.

The housing scheme applicants, Taylor and Hardy Town Planning, said the estate, near School Brow, would meet the housing need locally and address current flooding issues.

Moresby School, who had initially objected to the scheme, said at the meeting it now backed the plans, which will see a new school car park built and money put towards an extra classroom.

The planning panel had received 55 letters, and a petition with 144 signatures, objecting to the development. Five letters of support were submitted.

Speaking at the meeting, Gillian Troughton, county councillor and Moresby Parks resident, said: "There is traffic issues on School Brow, the speed of the traffic is very problematic.

"This area is outside the site allocation plan and the parish council objected strongly to the site being inside the plan. It extends the settlement boundary in an uncontrollable way into greenfield land."

While Gordon Sewell said: "The flooding issues on the site are long-standing and it can be seen on a regular basis.

"The school field can only be used 30 per cent of the time due to flooding and sandbags can often be seen in use at the four new properties adjacent to the proposed site.

"Surely the issues with flooding alone are sufficient grounds to reject this development proposal."

And Eric Musgrave said: "I live on School Brow and see the children going to school and I'm scared for their safety. Would parents really use the car park? How would it reduce the risk of road accidents? When cars are coming in and out, adding more junctions on to School Brow.

"If one of the children gets knocked over you have been warned about this."

But Julie Diamond, speaking on behalf of Taylor and Hardy, said: "This development offers big benefits to the community of Moresby Parks by improving drainage, enhancing the school and improving roads.

"It is an attractive location for housing which will be delivered within five years. It is accepted new developments can cause nervousness and fear of change is understandable so it is even more important to give consideration to statutory experts in their fields."

She announced that 14 affordable homes will be included in the development.

And John Moffat, chair of governors at Moresby School, said: "When the development was brought to our attention we had big concerns over the provision of education and children's safety. We have worked to address issues and feel our views have been taken on board.

"We have assurances the site will have sufficient drainage, a car park will be built and an offer of funding that would build a new classroom. This will fundamentally enable the school to accept more children."