A petition with 144 signatures has been lodged against plans for a major new housing estate in Moresby Parks.

The plans for around 100 homes on two areas of farmland off School Brow, on either side of the village school, have also attracted 39 individual letters of objection.

Objectors to the plans, submitted in principal to Copeland Council by landowners J&B Stamper, raise concern about the size of the development and the increase in traffic it would bring. Two letters of support have also been lodged.

The opponents claim: "The development is excessive in scale. There would be an increase in traffic and highways safety issues, especially as four new access points onto School Brow are proposed.

"It is likely to exacerbate existing drainage and flooding problems. There is inadequate infrastructure to cope with the development."

The objectors also say Moresby School "has no capacity to accommodate the development".

However, Cumbria County Council says that there "is sufficient space" in Moresby School and Whitehaven Academy to take the 34 new children estimated to arrive in the new homes, described as a mix of starter, affordable and executive housing.

The two letters in support of the development point to a benefit to local businesses.

Members of Copeland Council's planning panel will visit the site ahead of making a decision at the end of October.

And Moresby Parish Council has organised a public meeting in Moresby Rugby Union Club on Wednesday, at 7pm to gauge local response.