A controversial housing development planned for just outside Whitehaven has been met with opposition from local councillors and residents.

Weddicar Parish Council, at a meeting this week, objected to the plans for six houses at Mill Hill Farm, Keekle, because of concerns over access and increased traffic.

Previous proposed developments on the greenfield site at Mill Hill Farm, Keekle have been turned down after local opposition.

Plans for a nine-house estate were thrown out by planners in 2012 after the plans attracted nine individual letters of objection and a 224-signature petition.

Weddicar Parish Council, which also objected to the 2012 plans, said the area already suffers traffic problems on its minor roads and new houses would add to the strain.

Jackson Timber Ltd, which was behind the 2012 plans and the new proposal, has already converted previously unused buildings near the same site into highly-acclaimed residential and holiday units.

The council's clerk, Maureen Hunter, said: "Weddicar Parish Council objected to the outline proposal on the basis that the development is served by a poor access and would create increased traffic on the minor but increasingly populous roads within the locality.

"The case for a need for new, starter or high quality executive housing was regarded as unproven, given the proximity of large new-builds already under development locally.

"We are still receiving feedback from local residents who propose to write individual letters of objection but were unable to attend the meeting."

A spokesman for Jackson's agent Taylor & Hardy, said the new plans will provide "valuable high quality executive homes for which there is an explicit and identified need."

His statement added: "The proposal provides the opportunity to deliver a small scale, sustainable located housing development on a site that is well related to the existing built form of Cleator Moor and is within very close proximity to major employment providers."