PLANS for a housing development close to Dent Fell have run into fierce opposition amid claims it will ruin views and damage tourism.

The Lake District landmark is traditionally the first fell encountered by hikers following Wainwright’ Coast Walk and is regarded as “sacred” by the people of Cleator Moor.

Speaking at a planning meeting this week, residents of the town’s Trumpet Road told a planning panel that the construction of 11 more homes on their street would also create traffic problems and pollution.

The development had been recommended for approval by Copeland planning chiefs and there were no objections from any statutory bodies – apart from the town council.

But councillors were swayed by residents’ concerns and decided to go against their officers’ advice and the council’s own planning policy.

The decision has now been deferred until next month to give councillors who opposed the development time to come up with a “material planning” reason for their decision.

The vote was one of two which flew in the face of officers’ advice – the other was an application for Harras Road in Whitehaven.

Councillors faced a vocal crowd for both applications, with multiple speakers urging the panel to reject the plans.

Julia McClelland, who was “born and bred” on Trumpet Terrace, was one of several speakers imploring councillors to reject the plans.

She said: “If you chose today to make a dent in Dent there is no going back – I urge the planning panel to reject this application rather than to develop it at all costs, and instead to protect Dent and to focus on strategic objectives of our local MP, our mayor and your fellow councillors regarding tourism and the biggest jewel in Copeland’s crown – Dent Fell.”

Despite growing calls for it to be included within the Lake District National Park, the 1155-feet fell lies just outside its western boundary.

Another resident, Mr Johnston, urged councillors not to “spoil” the area by agreeing the plans.

He also raised several concerns including the effect on wildlife and ecology, speeding drivers and an overall increase in traffic caused by the development.

He said: “Let’s not spoil this great view and tourist attraction – the next generation deserve this site to be preserved.”

But the agent told members that the principal of development on the site was “firmly established” by the national planning policy framework as well as the council’s interim housing policy.

He described the impact on Cleator Moor townscape and the Lake District National Park as “negligible”, the effect on surrounding farmland as “minor”.

He told the panel that the houses were widely spaced and would help to provide housing type needed in the area.

The application was supported by flood risk assessment and drainage scheme including an allowance for climate change.

The meeting also heard that the Japanese knotweed identified on the site was being treated by the applicant.