An out-of-town retail development in Cockermouth has flood risks and would impact on the town centre economy town councillors have warned.

They voted six to three to recommend refusal of outline plans for a proposed foodstore and non-food retail unit and car parking off Low Road and next to the Lakes Home Centre.

At a Cockermouth Town Council meeting on Wednesday night councillor Alan Smith said: "We need some more detail regarding what the stores will be. I'm loathe to move something when I do not know what I'm moving. We do not want anything in competition with Main Street and Station Street."

Flood risk concerns were raised by Coun Alan Tyson. "I have looked at the flood risk assessment and think the document is nonsense and misleading. They need to get a proper flood risk assessment," he said.

Coun David Malloy said: "As this town is getting larger this is going to happen more and more. Stores are going to be keen to come in. I would prefer to have smaller industrial units there."

Coun Eric Nicholson said: "The majority of people in town are very concerned about this development because of the adverse effect on the town centre. But it's an outline application which means it has to be decided on planning grounds."

Town mayor Julie Laidlow said: "As someone with a business in town I'm not concerned by a little bit of healthy competition as we have already but we do not know what's coming and we don't want something which will wipe out the town centre. This could have a serious impact on the local economy."