Last updated at 08:46, Friday, 17 December 2010

A CONTROVERSIAL housing estate in Maryport has been given the go-ahead.

Allerdale councillors met on Tuesday and voted to approve proposed landscaping for the development at Woods Harbour, planned by Danny Sharpe of North Star Projects, which would comprise of 29 flats and five houses.

Outline permission had already been granted for the homes themselves, following an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate after the council had rejected the plans, but work could not begin until the council approved the landscaping.

People living near the site of fear it would severely affect their right to privacy, block out light to their homes, lower the quality of their lives and devalue their homes.

They have also said that the development could make access difficult for emergency vehicles and cause parking problems.

More than 60 residents have previously asked the Local Government Ombudsman to investigate the council’s handling of the plans. Residents have also asked Home Secretary Theresa May to overturn the Planning Inspectorate’s decision.

First published at 19:35, Thursday, 16 December 2010
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk