A new 45-home development is set to be built at Little Corby after approval was granted by Carlisle Council.

Womble Bond Dickinson’s application for outline planning permission to develop a field off Little Corby Road – which has been allocated for housing in the council's adopted Local Plan – was given the green light on Friday at a virtual meeting of the council's development control committee.

The proposals had previously been recommended for approval at the council's first virtual development meeting on April 25 but a decision was deferred on that day due to lingering concerns over a footpath past the development and traffic.

Councillors elected to approve the plans with the addition of new conditions requiring a safety audit to be carried out on Little Corby Road and a footpath linking the site to the village to be brought up to a standard where it could be adopted by the county council.

Councillor Raymond Tinnion was also keen to see a planned footpath along the road removed from the development.

Five councillors voted in favour of approving the application, with three voting against.

Councillor Nigel Christian said: "I think we all share these concerns but I'm prepared to stand by moving the officer's recommendation, subject to the additional condition relating to a safety audit."

In response to a question from Councillor Pamela Birks – who felt the plans were an "accident waiting to happen" and voted against approval – Stephen Daniel, the council's principal planning officer, pointed out that a new footpath would be created from the development past a substation which would avoid Little Corby Road and a steep embankment which had concerned councillors.

He also said the proposed visibility splays at the access would be double what was required and Cumbria County Council officer Peter Allan confirmed the plans would see a 30mph speed limit extended past the site.

While Councillor John Collier said he still had worries over "too many ifs and buts" in the application, Councillor Anne Glendinning felt her issues had been cleared up by the officers' reassurance and new conditions.

The development, which would be made up of 23 detached and 22 semi-detached houses, is subject to an agreement that the developer will contribute £171,878 toward additional places at William Howard School, £38,000 toward school transport, £8,606 to upgrade existing off-site sports pitches and £5,500 toward the extending of a 30mph speed limit past the site. They must also ensure that 30 per cent of the homes are affordable and maintain the open space within the site.

The plans had prompted 31 letters of objection from surrounding residents and two in support, as well as concerns from Hayton parish council, raising issues including: lack of need for the houses; excessive traffic; noise pollution; and destruction of greenspace used often by wildlife.