Controversial plans for a bus depot in the middle of an Egremont housing estate have been opposed.

There was a round of applause from the public as Copeland Council's planning panel members voted unanimously against the proposal.

Reays Coaches submitted plans to relocate its depot at Ennerdale Business Park to the former county council highways site on Barrowbay Road.

However, councillors voted against the planning officer's recommendation to approve the application. It will go back before the panel for a second and final decision at the next meeting.

Speaking at the Copeland Centre, resident Andrew Hamilton said there were a significant amount of people against the application.

"We feel that to introduce such a business into a residential estate that already has existing traffic problems should be considered negligent.

"No attempt has been made by Reays to have meaningful dialogue with the wider population adjacent to this proposed development. It's the traffic that we're genuinely worried about.

"There are many more suitable sites existing around here. This increased traffic burden is unnecessary given the number of alternative locations available to this business with considerably safer access. There's nothing wrong with where they are currently.

"There are no advantages only disadvantages to the local community."

Keith Pickle, who lives opposite the proposed development, said: "It's a big issue moving big coaches on a small road. Have you tried to move a 40 metre coach up that road? I don't think you have. There's an awful lot of concerned residents around this area and they need to be heard."

Russell Hardy, headteacher at Bookwell Primary School in Egremont was also against the plans.

Speaking at the meeting, he said: "My issue is about the amount of traffic coming past one of my entrances. We currently already have two lollipop ladies at two of our entrances because the county council feel there's too much traffic and it's not safe.

"We've had quite a few incidents already. I've been at the school for 14 years and every year there's some issues that occur around that entrance. We have had one child get knocked over.

"Already I think there's big issues with that road with the amount of traffic we've got. By increasing the amount of coaches, buses and mini buses, it really is only going to be a matter of time before there's a fatality of a child in my school and that is something I really don't want to happen.

"For me the highest priority as headteacher is the safety of those children and I think if this goes ahead, the safety of my children at Bookwell School is going to be put at risk. If something does happen, who is then responsible for that?"

Peter Shannon, who spoke on behalf of Reays Coaches, said the proposal was in accordance with the relevant planning policy frameworks.

"The character and nature of the proposed use is not significantly different from the earlier use. There is no significant impact on the highways network. The planning officer's report is clear that the proposal is acceptable."