A CONTROVERSIAL bid to build 90 houses in a village on the edge of Carlisle has been rejected.

The plans, which went before a meeting of the city council’s development control committee, heard several calls of objection for the scheme.

The proposals by Gladman Developments aimed to create the homes on land at Rookery Park, to the south of Alders Edge in Scotby.

Fierce opposition was immediately sparked against the plans last November.

Since then, a total of 195 letters of objection, plus a petition containing more than 750 names have been submitted to the authority.

Resident John Morrison, who outlined his objections at the meeting, said: “The development will have a real impact on Scotby Village and its residents forever.

“There already is an abundance of housing in and around Carlisle, with a sufficient supply of housing coming forward.

“It will put significant pressure on the rural community.

“On behalf of the residents, I ask you to protect it.”

Councillor Stephen Higgs, city councillor for Wetheral which takes in Scotby, added: “The development would lead to an unacceptable intrusion to the local countryside.

“It will not enhance or maintain the vitality of the local community.

“I’d ask the committee to support the local plan, not to undermine it.”

In December last year, the News & Star reported that nearly 700 people signed a petition to stop the large house development from being created.

At the time, about 100 individual letters of objection were submitted to Carlisle city council.

Previously, Carlisle MP John Stevenson warned the proposed St Cuthbert’s Garden Village masterplan was in danger of being undermined by controversial large scale village housing plans.