A developer's request to no longer have to provide affordable homes on a new housing estate was branded “ridiculous” – before councillors agreed to remove the obligation.

Plans to demolish buildings and erect a new 20-home estate behind Castle Lea, on Flatt Walks in Whitehaven, were approved by Copeland Council in January, subject to a legal agreement to ensure four of the houses would be affordable.

The agent for applicant Christine Wilson then came back to the council to ask for the removal of that requirement, which they said would make the development unviable, but Councillor Graham Minshaw claimed the request treated the planning process with “contempt.”

Speaking at a virtual meeting of the council’s planning panel where the request was being considered, Mr Minshaw said: “The idea that it is now not viable without these four homes being taken off I think is ridiculous and I think you’ve been taken for a ride frankly Nick [Hayhurst, the council’s planning and place manager].

“I think we are being treated like mugs and I think we should just throw it out.”

Mr Minshaw was one of three members of the panel to vote against the application as Councillor Jackie Bowman also said she was “fed up” but the request was approved with the panel voting six-three to remove the obligation.

The agent said a financial viability assessment had been completed and found that all of the homes must be sold at at least £155,335.32 to achieve the “accepted minimum return.”

They also argued that Whitehaven is one of England’s most affordable boroughs and that it was “disproportionate” for a single estate to provide the four new affordable homes it is expected to produce each year.

Council planning officer Sarah Papaleo had explained that it was considered that the benefits of new houses being built on a brownfield site close to the town centre was deemed to outweigh the loss of the affordable housing.

She said: “The viability issues raised by the development of the site have been demonstrated by the applicant and it is considered that the council should take a pragmatic approach in ensuring the delivery of housing in a sustainable location.”

Mr Hayhurst also referred to a Government drive to encourage more new houses.