Controversial plans for 80 homes to be built on green space in Carlisle have now been refused.

Proposals tabled last year for the estate at Deer Park, Belah led to a number of concerns amid fears of over-development and the impact on biodiversity.

At a development control meeting on Friday, it was proposed that planners refuse the applications due to the situation about schools north of the river.

Plans were paused in October to seek further clarity on the school situation.

Councillor David Morton, for the Belah and Kingmoor ward, formally proposed the plans be refused.

He said: “When this application was first considered in October the papers indicated that the education provision in the area was likely to fall short of demand. There were no places available across the city in any school to cater for the expected demand, now we are being told that they can accommodate them.

“There has been an ongoing issue with school places north of Carlisle.”

At the last meeting it was agreed unanimously that the application should be deferred so more information could be obtained.

Mr Morton added: “In my view this application breaches the requirements of the local planning policy CN2 that deals with education needs.

“I propose the application be refused on that basis.”

Labour councillor for Newtown and Morton North, Pam Birks, seconded the refusal of the application.

She said: “I fully support what councillor Morton has said. It’s a conflict that you are getting from the county council.

“We’re being told there is going to be further work at an appropriate time for schools, but then we’re being told there will be no capacity.

“We keep hearing the same lines spouted by Cumbria County Council.”

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council said: “The county council is aware of the need to provide additional primary school places in North Carlisle to mitigate the impact of new housing developments.

“The county council is supportive of sustainable housing development in Carlisle, and recognises the requirement to provide additional school places at the appropriate time. The council remains confident that a solution will be developed when the revised plans for Crindledyke have been submitted and reviewed.”

A spokesman for Gleeson Homes said: “We are disappointed with the outcome of the planning committee to refuse our planning application for Deer Park due to a lack of primary and secondary school provision in the local area.

“Despite the decision we remain committed to providing much needed low-cost affordable housing in Carlisle and throughout Cumbria as we continue to grow our investment in the county and its communities

.”