Plans to allocate land for more than 900 new homes across Allerdale will go out to consultation at the end of the month.

Allerdale council's executive agreed on Wednesday to launch a consultation into its draft local plan, which identifies areas suitable for housing development, new retail units, business development and travellers' sites.

An eight-week consultation period into the plans is due to start on January 27.

Preferred sites in Workington include the former Southfield Technology College site, off Moorclose Road, which it says has capacity for 65 houses, a 6.3-hectare parcel of land off Stainburn Road, which could accommodate up to 120 houses, and land off Moor Road in Stainburn, which has space for 25 homes.

Land east of Whitestiles, next to the former Coachman Inn at High Seaton, is among the earmarked sites and Story Homes has already applied to build 69 homes there.

In High Harrington, the company has also submitted early, pre-planning proposals for housing on land at Whins Farm, off Main Road.

Allerdale council, which has earmarked this land for housing development, said the parcel of land could accommodate up to 120 homes and a play area.

The authority said the town could also accommodate a medium size supermarket or discount food store, other retail units and new leisure developments.

In Maryport, planners have identified three sites on the harbourside.

They said a 0.7-hectare site near Ritson Wharf could accommodate up to 30 homes and help regenerate the harbourside.

The preferred development is for blocks of flats, but townhouses may be considered.

A greenfield site at Elizabeth Dock is the second preferred option, with space for 50 homes, and a third option identifies land at Maryport marina for up to 30 homes.

Allerdale council has also identified space for a bigger development of up to 365 homes near White Croft.

The authority said the town had limited space for new retail and business units due to the building of the new Lidl store in the town and it wanted to extend the town centre boundaries to include the supermarket.

The main area for future development is Glasson industrial estate.

Land off Flimby Brow and off Elm Avenue in Flimby are also earmarked as potential housing developments site, with a capacity for 15 homes on the first site and 40 on the latter.

Cockermouth has exceeded its housing targets and no new land has been earmarked to build homes in the town in the draft local plan,