Worried residents have spoken out against a proposed major development which would see 380 homes built in Whitehaven.

At a public consultation at Whitehaven Golf Club yesterday, residents cited blocked views, increased traffic, drainage, school places and the effect on wildlife as reasons to reject the plans.

The homes would be built on 20 hectares of land at Harras Moor, surrounded by the Highlands, Hillcrest and Red Lonning housing estates.

The development will provide a “broad mix” of two to five bedroom homes, with some executive houses. Fifteen per cent of the properties will be affordable housing, with a mix of discounted sale and affordable rent.

Vehicle access will be from both Harras Road and Caldbeck Road, with pedestrian access on the Loop Road South, the Highlands and Red Lonning.

Planners said building is unlikely to begin until 2020 and the work could potentially take up to 10 years to complete.

David Burke, who has lived on Laurel Bank at the Highlands for 12 years, said it was a “crying shame”.

“I just don’t understand who’s going to buy all these houses," he told The Whitehaven News . "I don’t see a need for it.

His neighbour, Pauline Jepson, also attended the event.

“Harras Moor is going to be a dangerous rat run," she added. "It’s not a good place to be encouraging more traffic.”

Cowan Douglas, who lives on Jubilee Road at Red Lonning, was worried about the access to Caldbeck Road and highlighted the issues with parking and with the access point.

Kath Pitchford, of Windsor Terrace, Harras Moor, said: “I’m worried about the habitat. The red squirrels have already been disrupted with building the new school.”

The proposals will include retained woodland, new ecology areas, sustainable drainage, public open space and a play area. There would be green corridors and designated sites for the wildlife.

Planners say they will be required to contribute financially to local education, and transport assessments are currently being carried out on Harras Road.

Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency, has bought the land, which was previously owned by Cumbria County Council and Copeland Council.

Planners say the site has the potential to make a “significant contribution to improving the availability and choice of housing locally”.

A planning application is due to be submitted to Copeland Council this spring.