Contentious plans to build four new homes in a West Cumbria village are set to be considered by Allerdale Council’s development panel.

Wright Land & Property Ltd submitted a planning application on behalf of Mrs E Beaty to the council for a residential development on land opposite Blencogo Farm in Blencogo.

A design and access statement submitted as part of the application said: “The land has been in the family for generations and they are now looking to provide a small development that would respect the character of Blencogo and provide houses for future generations in the village.

“The application site is located within the village of Blencogo and is green field land that has previously been used for grazing/exercising horses.”

The application was initially for five homes but the plans have since been revised.

Although the application is for outline planning permission, details of the development’s access – which was raised as an issue by Bromfield parish council – will also be considered at a virtual meeting of the panel at 1pm on Tuesday.

The parish council objected to the application and has requested the panel undertake a site visit.

Its response said: “The council object to this application as they have concerns about the entrance to the site which is to be on a narrow part of the road where visibility is poor and the road bends and slopes steeply.

“This development will place added pressure on already strained services.”

Cumbria County Council’s highways department suggested visibility splays needed to be at least 60 metres in length at the access to the site.

They had initially recommended the application for refusal due to the presence of a hedge line making it “impractical” to secure the visibility splays, prompting a proposal to realign the hedge.

The council received 20 letters of objection from six properties, with their concerns including speeding on the nearby road, affordable housing, limited services in the village and demand.

Council planners have recommended the planning and building control manager be allowed to grant permission with conditions once the publicity period has expired relating to access.