RESIDENTS have hit out at the council after it was revealed a decision on a major Whitehaven housing scheme will be made in Carlisle.

Cumberland Council’s planning committee will consider plans for 23 houses on land at Harras Moor in Whitehaven at a meeting due to be held at the Civic Centre in Carlisle on November 8.

A site visit will take place on November 6 before members makes a decision on the application, which was deferred at the last meeting held at Allerdale House in Workington.

Residents opposed to the scheme are ‘disappointed’ that the decision is being made at a meeting in Carlisle, which means locals who wish to speak in objection will face an 80-mile round trip.

An email to Cumberland Council’s senior business support department from resident Ken Heddle, who has opposed the application, said: “It is with great disappointment that I read the application has been scheduled for November 8 at Carlisle Civic Centre.

“The majority of applications scheduled to be heard on that date are, ironically, from the former Copeland and Allerdale areas, yet anyone who wishes to demonstrate their democratic right to object will be required to travel the 80 miles+ round trip to the venue.”

A request has been made to have the application deferred until the December meeting, which will be held in Workington.

But Cumberland Council say decisions should be made ‘as quickly as possible’ and within statutory timescales.

A Cumberland Council spokesperson said: “Planning is a statutory function that plays a crucial role in the development and growth of any local government area.

 “The Committee currently holds its meetings at two different locations: the Civic Centre in Carlisle and Allerdale House in Workington. This decision is based on several factors, such as technology, accessibility, and the volume of applications expected to be reviewed by the Planning Committee.

“The agenda setting is based on when applications need to be determined, so that they are timely and decisions are not prolonged.

“Government Guidance set out in the National Planning Policy Framework advises that decisions on planning applications should be made as quickly as possible and within statutory timescales or extended timescales agreed with the applicant.”

Councillors are recommended to approve planning permission, subject to a number of conditions.

The resubmitted application put forward by John Swift Homes Ltd is one of a number of developments planned for Harras Moor.

Homes England won a Government appeal against Copeland Council’s decision to refuse its plans to build 370 houses earlier this year.