A £300 million project to install 100km of new water supply pipework through parts of Cumbria has been backed by Copeland Council.

United Utilities is planning a new pipeline from Thirlmere to West Cumbria, creating up to 400 jobs.

Copeland's planning panel approved the plans yesterday and the far-reaching application is now set to go before two more local authorities - the Lake District National Park Authority and Allerdale council.

In Copeland, the connection will require a new service reservoir and pumping station at High Leys, near Rowrah, from which the water supply would flow into the existing network at Summergrove and Kelton Fell reservoirs.

Speaking at the planning meeting, United Utilities programme manager Carl Sanders said: "What we have done is make a 100 per cent commitment to minimalising impacts. Primary bodies are extremely supportive of what we plan to do."

And Copeland's planning officer Heather Morrison said: "There is an environmental need for this. A need to supply a resilient water supply to West Cumbria.

"It has been satisfactorily demonstrated that any impacts can be reasonably mitigated."

United Utilities is seeking an alternative route after having its licence to draw water from Ennerdale Water revoked to protect rare mussels. Its permission to draw from Crummock Water, Chapel House and Overwater is also due to come to an end.

No objections have been lodged by the parish councils of Arlecdon and Frizington, Cleator Moor or Lamplugh. However Weddicar, while not raising an objection, asks for an impact study of the project on the parish.

In recommending the go-ahead councillors said: "The project will provide for a resilient, sustainable water supply to serve the needs of West Cumbria.

"There will be relatively minimal negative impacts in Copeland arising from the scheme. The majority are likely to arise from construction activities which will be temporary and unlikely to be significant in the long term.

"The benefits of the proposed scheme are considered to significantly outweigh any negative impacts."