A planned four-home development in Scotby has been given the green light by Carlisle City Council.

Developer Carlisle Estate’s application for planning permission to build off Scotby Road was unanimously approved by the council's development control committee on Friday morning.

A decision on the plans had been deferred at a development meeting on January 10, with councillors concerned about encroachment into open countryside.

Those concerns were allayed by changes the developer had made to the proposals since that meeting, redesigning and moving the largest house on the proposed plot to bring it more in line with the other three buildings.

Councillor Pam Birks said: "I'm glad the developer has gone away and looked at plot four and it does seem as if it is a more reasonable move and that it isn't extending particularly."

Since the decision had been deferred and the plans amended, Wetheral parish council had reaffirmed its objection for a number of reasons.

Councillor Keith Meller echoed concerns raised by the council about the absence of a turning area and occupants needing to drag refuse bins to a collection point at the entrance to the site.

It was explained by Chris Hardman, the council's development manager, that the bins for each of the homes would be stored near the entrance to the site, while it was suggested there was sufficient space with residents able to move cars if large vehicles needed to turn.