By Jenny Barwise

Last updated at 13:36, Thursday, 21 February 2013

Fifty new homes look set to be built at Brigham despite objections by villagers.

Even though 21 residents have lodged their objections with Allerdale Council, planning officers are urging that the authority’s development panel give the scheme the thumbs-up.

Brigham parish council is also against the development as it has concerns about highway safety and school capacity.

Residents fear that the new houses will lead to problems with drainage, flooding, traffic and visual impact.

Gwendoline Dodd, of High Brigham, is one of those against the proposals.

“Access on the A66 is already horrendous at the closest junction,” she said. “The extra vehicles introduced from both the building and eventually the inhabitants of the site would only exacerbate a dangerous and chaotic piece of road.”

Barbara Burton and Neil Bassett, of High Brigham, said in their objection letter to the council that the proposed development is in an area where the road is already “difficult to negotiate” because it narrows on its approach to the busy A66.

“The junction onto the A66 is notoriously difficult and dangerous with several fatalities there in recent memory,” they wrote.

Another objector, Elisabeth Leggett, has lived at Stoneybeck Cottages for more than 30 years and has witnessed the beck flood the fields on a regular basis.

“We are very concerned at the prospect of any increase in the flow of water as a result of the proposed development,” she said. “Recent weather conditions have meant that the land round about is almost permanently waterlogged.”

North Homes Limited’s outline application for the scheme at Kirk Cross Quarry, at the junction between Low Road and Stan Lonning, would see 15 of the homes made affordable.

Seven letters of support have been put forward from people recognising the value of affordable housing.

Allerdale planning officers are recommending that councillors approve the plans on Tuesday, subject to a future legal document being signed relating to affordable housing, education and highways contributions.

First published at 13:33, Thursday, 21 February 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk