CARLISLE City Council have been forced to take legal action after building work began in a village without planning permission.

Work was underway on a site near the Wash beck in Scotby, much to the concern of local residents. The work was also infringing on a nearby bridle path.

The city council have confirmed that legal action was taken and the land will now be restored to its original condition.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "We took action through the Courts when unauthorised development work was undertaken. In addition to causing concern for local residents, it also impacted on the use of the public right of way.

"We use enforcement powers to remedy breaches of planning and in this case it necessitated the use of a Court Injunction to put a halt to the development.

“We asked the Court not only to finalise the injunction to prevent residential occupation of the land but also to reinstate the land. The injunction was confirmed with a two month timescale for restoration.”

A number of planning applications relating to the area have been submitted in recent months.

In April and June last year, Carlisle City Council approved two separate applications for Gypsy caravan pitches to be placed on land south of Washbeck Paddock.

However, Carlisle City Council has confirmed that the enforcement action taken over the unauthorised development is not related to the earlier applications, and that work was taking place without any permission.