Last updated at 20:30, Thursday, 19 July 2012

A Maryport campaign group has said it will try to use a Government bill to stop a housing development at Netherhall.

Story Homes wants to build a 152-home estate on land off Netherhall Road.

Concerned residents set up the Friends of Deer Park group to fight the scheme.

Shaun Ritson, of the group, told Maryport Town Council, in a presentation last week, that members planned to use the Government’s Localism Bill in their campaign.

He said the bill devolved greater powers to councils and neighbourhoods, and gave communities more control over housing and planning decisions.

He urged the town council to contact Allerdale council to set up a Maryport neighbourhood forum to discuss the town’s housing needs and sites where most people think houses should be built.

He said that Maryport should be creating a local plan that would implement Allerdale’s core strategy.

He added: “It needs to promote Maryport as a key tourism destination and encourage the development of strategic visitor attractions such as Roman Maryport and the harbour.”

He said the planning legislation would include a presumption to build, but said he believed the Netherhall development would exceed housing needs in Maryport.

Maryport Town Council agreed to discuss contacting Allerdale council at a committee meeting soon.

First published at 19:20, Thursday, 19 July 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk