Plans to build 300 homes north of Carlisle have been unanimously rejected.

Members of the city council's development control committee raised a number of concerns regarding the proposals put forward by Kingmoor Park Properties to build on land at the Harker Industrial Estate.

The committee had been recommended to approve the plans.

But a motion was proposed by Heather Bradley, Labour councillor for Currock, to reject the plans after she raised a number of issues.

She drew attention to the report published by development manager Chris Hardman.

It said: "The applicant has not offered any affordable housing on-site and has submitted a viability statement to confirm that if the requirement as outlined above was required the development would not be viable."

The report also addressed the issue of providing cash towards extra educational costs incurred by building the houses.

It said Kingmoor Park Properties had concluded it was not able to provide the level required "for either primary or secondary education or the associated transport requirements".

The site currently houses a number of former Ministry of Defence warehouses, which are in poor condition and also contain asbestos.

Mrs Bradley said: "There is a level of contamination and it's not known what contributions will be made towards education provision and transport costs.

"I'm also concerned about the affordable housing element."

She continued: "There is Government funding available to make brownfield sites suitable for development.

"Has the applicant attempted to apply for a grant?"

Ray Bloxham, Conservative member for Longtown and Rockcliffe, seconded Mrs Bradley's motion.

He added: "We owe something to future generations to get this cleaned up in a way that's acceptable."

Steven Bowditch, Labour member for Yewdale, also spoke out in support of rejecting the plans, raising concerns about a lack of school places to the north of the city.

Jane Meek, the city council's corporate director of economic development, told the committee that she had already contacted Cumbria County Council regarding what educational provision was needed.

However she said she was yet to receive a response.

She said: "We need that detail. I'll be going back to pin them down as to what the educational provision will be."

Calling on the county council to make it clear what was needed north of Carlisle, Mr Bowditch said: "We can't keep doing this.

"It needs to be discussed.

"It's ridiculous that you can live in the same street as Trinity School and end up going to one in Dalston."