Plans for 56 new homes in Great Broughton look set to get the go-ahead on Tuesday.

Story Homes wants to build the houses, including 11 affordable homes, on land north of Broughton Park.

The plans have attracted widespread opposition, with people concerned the development would join the villages of Great and Little Broughton.

There are also fears it would cause traffic problems and put pressure on the village school.

Four parish councils have voiced their opposition and Allerdale council has received 80 letters of objection.

Broughton Parish Council said there were no appropriate routes in the village for the additional cars expected on the estate.

Councillors added: “Serious investment would need to be provided to the school for expansion to enable the extra capacity to be accommodated.”

There was no viable pedestrian route between the planned estate and the village shops, the council added, and the development would also alter the village’s housing balance towards larger executive-style homes.

Bridekirk Parish Council said: “There is not the infrastructure to support this and it was deemed totally without justification.”

Brigham Parish Council objected to the “labyrinthine design” of the estate, and its road connections.

County council education bosses said the scheme would be likely to bring 16 new primary pupils to the village, while Broughton Primary School only had space for five.

With insufficient places at the next nearest schools, an extra classroom would need to be built at Broughton, at a cost of almost £224,000.

An estimated 11 secondary school pupils would live on the site, they added, and a shortage of places at Cockermouth School would see more of them attend Netherhall School, in Maryport, at a cost of more than £70,000 over five years.

Allerdale council planners have recommended the plans for approval, subject to a legal agreement that would see the developer cover the education costs, upgrade the Winder Lonning footpath, and provide £17,454 towards play equipment in the village.

They said the site was considered suitable for residential development and the scale was not considered disproportionate.

Adam McNally, of Story Homes, said previously: “Our proposals will introduce much-needed quality new homes to the area.

“We’re also proposing offsite public footpath upgrades to improve connections to the village, as well as primary school space contributions as a result of the development.”

Allerdale council’s development panel will consider the plans at a meeting at Hunday Manor Hotel, Winscales, on Tuesday at 1pm.