CONTROVERSIAL plans for a housing development on a village field have been branded as ‘vexatious’ by local councillors.

Plans for five homes at Ellerbeck Brow in Brigham attracted over 80 letters of objections from residents, who were concerned about overdevelopment, road safety and loss of privacy to nearby homes.

Three previous attempts to build on the land have already been turned down by Allerdale council’s development panel in the past.

And applicant David Hill, of Strawberry How Road, Cockermouth, is set to see his plans also rejected, as Allerdale’s planning officers have recommended the project for refusal.

Councillor Mark Greaves, who sits on Brigham Parish Council’s planning sub-committee, has spoken out against the application.

In a letter to the planning authority sent on behalf of Brigham parish council, he said the application was vexatious.

He said: “As usual with the repeated (failed) applications at this site, we anticipate much adverse reaction from our parishioners. [...]We note, as ever, that these vexatious applications always seem to come in just after we’ve had our parish council meetings. It’s almost as if the potential developer is not keen to engage with the local community.”

And Nicky Cockburn, who represents the village on Allerdale council, echoed Dr Greaves’ view.

She said: “I am getting tired of what appear to be vexatious planning applications generally.

“In this case in Brigham it is yet another attempt to build on a field that has had planning applications turned down on at least three occasions before.

“I would need some convincing that it would be a good idea to go against officer’s recommendation and the views of the parish and allow building on this field.”

The application is due to be discussed by councillors on the development panel on Tuesday.

Mr Hill wants to build five bungalows on the land, which is currently used for agricultural purposes. They would be a mixture of three- and four-bedroom homes, with parking for a total of 15 cars.

But Allerdale’s planning officers say the development would introduce non-essential homes in the area and adversely affect the village’s character.

Officers also believe it would affect the privacy of two nearby properties as well as causing neighbours disturbance from traffic from the proposed access.

Dr Greaves outlined the parish council’s concerns about the proposals, including that Brigham has already met its building demand numbers until 2027.

He added: “The effect on potentially neighbouring properties is an unacceptable loss of privacy and amenity.

“Brigham is a small village which no longer has a bus routed through the main residential area of the village and we have lost our only shop facility.

“There is nothing beneficial in this greenfield, wildlife displacing and unwanted, unsustainable application for the village.”

Commenting on the officers’ recommendation to reject the proposal, Dr Greaves said: “The parish council is happy to be supporting both Allerdale council’s planning team and representing the overwhelming feeling in Brigham village that developing this site would be out of character and appearance with the existing village form. The proposed access road is problematic.”

The development panel will make a decision on the application on Tuesday at a meeting at Allerdale House at 1pm.

Mr Hill declined to comment.