A proposed 90-home development in Scotby near Carlisle has sparked fierce opposition from residents.

A campaign has been launched by locals to halt the scheme which is being proposed near the centre of the village by Cheshire based Gladman Land.

Carlisle MP John Stevenson is also warning that Carlisle's proposed Garden Village masterplan is in danger of being undermined by controversial large scale village housing plans.

Protesters have handed Mr Stevenson a letter containing hundreds of signatures gathered within 24 hours of the Gladman Land proposal being made public.

In a consultation leaflet delivered to householders, Gladman Land says it wants to create Rookery Part, up to 90 houses on land at Townhead Farm just 100 yards from Scotby village green.

The controversial site has been "discounted" for housing purposes in the Carlisle City Council Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment because of its "unacceptable landscape impact". It also falls outside the council's District Local Plan 2015-2030 which earmarks suitable housing land.

Mr Stevenson said: "I have always wanted the city to grow and recognise that the village is part of that growth, however there has already been substantial development and more planned in Scotby as well as other villages, and we must not overbuild in these villages.

"In addition this piece of land is not in the local plan and was in fact rejected by the city council.

"However, most importantly of all we have the prospects for a Garden Village and we must not undermine that in any way.

"Indeed it is vital that the city and the council get behind the Garden Village and ensure its long term success."

St Cuthbert's Garden Village could transform the southern edge of Carlisle for the next 25 years, with up to 10,000 homes and new infrastructure including a southern link road.

The north Cumbrian masterplan is one of 14 huge new developments planned across the country with Government support.

Gladman Land sent consultation leaflets to Scotby householders last Monday. It is yet to submit a formal planning application.

An online campaign group - Defeat Gladman Land at Scotby - has been launched with an initial protest letter gaining more than 200 signatures. Those against the proposal say other protests are planned.

Campaign spokesman Peter Devenish, of Ghyll Road, said: "It goes against the local plan, guidelines on 'windfall development' and was discounted as possible development land when the local plan was agreed in 2016."

Steve Johnston, of Scotby Village, said: "A housing estate on open countryside so close to the village green will totally destroy the character of the village and a landscape view known and loved by many. This deliberately targets a site that our council has previously stated is unsuitable for housing on landscape grounds."

There is growing concern over the number of housing plans already approved in Scotby and its lack of infrastructure to cope.

The News & Star has contacted Gladman Land for comment and understands that Wetheral Parish Council is to meet with the firm to discuss the proposals.

Councillor Stephen Higgs, city councillor for Wetheral which takes in Scotby, said: "With the amount of development already under way in Scotby and nearby, it is not hard to understand residents' opposition.

"I very much hope that they succeed in resisting any planning application for this site that may come forward."

"This will give councillors the opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns with the developer prior to any planning application being submitted."