A landmark development at Broughton Moor's Derwent Forest has been revealed, which would also see public access restored to the site for the first time in decades.

It is hoped it will kickstart a housing revolution locally which will also have a national impact.

Plans for an 75-home 'village' and a visitor centre on a separate area of the 1,050-acre site, will be submitted to Allerdale council's planners next month.

And people living around Derwent Forest will get the chance to have their say at a drop-in session on Wednesday, January 29 at Broughton Moor Village Hall.

Owner Derwent Forest Development Consortium said it hoped the next phase of development would start a conversation about the future of housing.

Nigel Catterson, the consortium's executive chairman, said: "We want to put people first and cars second. This is the first of a series of communities based around village greens and will range from 'affordable' houses to those at the higher end of the market.

"We have always had a certain ethos about the development of Derwent Forest and it is gratifying to see the national and international conversation turn seriously to sustainable living. This is what we are aiming for."

He added that people were much more aware of their impact on the planet, thanks to the likes of Greta Thunberg and David Attenborough, and he hoped these homes would be help kickstart the evolution of living.

If approved by planners, the homes – a mixture of semi-detached and detached properties – would be built by a developer, as yet unnamed.

The site is to the north east of the plots earmarked for 24 self-build houses, a separate project being led by Reiver Homes, part of the Story Group.

Dylan Jones, of A2 Architects, has been working on the new 75-home scheme. He and his team are in the final stages of drawing up the plans, ready for submission.

He said: "We are working with the legacy the Ministry of Defence left too. There are redundant explosive store buildings there, which are part of the history of the site and one would be turned into a community hall. One of them would be demolished, but we would bring in a facsimile and create six apartments.

"If we are successful with the planning permission, we hope that the homes will be ready in around 18 months to two years."

A second application for a visitor centre, at the west end of the site, is also due to be lodged.

Dylan added: "The consortium is really keen to get public access back onto the site and if we get approval, we will create the centre on a helipad that is already there.

"It could be used for education and would have a little cafe. It would mean people could come in and have a look at the site, see the Jubilee Wood which was planted and connect with it again."

He said he anticipated that if given the green light, the centre would be in place within 12 to 18 months.

Dylan said: "These are the first stages of a masterplan for the site, which we're also working on, which has many different aspects to it."

Financial backing has been arranged by Tower Grange Finance. Executive director Steven Peck said he was excited about the wider plans for Derwent Forest, which overlapped with other investments it was involved in.

BLOB Anyone who would like to see the plans and talk to representatives from the consortium can attend Broughton Moor Village Hall on Wednesday, January 29, between 3.30pm and 6pm.