Plans to build 19 homes in a West Cumbrian village have been given the green light, despite concerns over traffic, drainage and privacy.

An outline application for land at Scalegill Road in Moor Row, was approved by Copeland Council’s planning panel on Wednesday.

The homes will be built in between the newly created Rusper Drive estate and Moor Row Working Men’s Club and the recreation ground.

Members of the planning panel voted unanimously in favour of the scheme after hearing the developer and residents’ views.

Mr Wordsworth, who spoke on behalf of residents living around the Rusper Drive estate, said: “The concern from several residents is understanding the overall capacity of the drainage system, recognising the development that has already taken place in Rusper Drive. It is thought that it is already operating at its maximum capacity.

“From the residents’ experience, while there are traffic calming measures, there was no real evidence of the construction period and recognising the impact not only around the local area but also the adjacent properties.

“I think the largest concern was around the elements of privacy. How it’s going to maintain levels of privacy for the adjacent properties?”

Michael Sandelands, agent for the developer, told the panel: “This application is a relatively small scale development. It’s a sustainable, logical site for a modest housing development to serve Moor Row.

“United Utilities have no objections in relation to foul drainage or drainage capacity. The application is accompanied by a drainage strategy. It’s followed a sustainable drainage strategy.

“In terms of highways, the highway authority, subject to conditions is satisfied with the access and highway arrangements. It involves removing one speed cushion and replacing it with a speed table, which would to some extent, support the existing traffic calming measures in the village.

“In terms of privacy, this is a one and a half hectares site. There’s more than enough room to allow development to take place.”

Access to the development would be located between the public footpath to the east of Rusper Drive and Moor Row Working Men’s Club.

It is also proposed to remove the existing speed bump at the access point onto Scalegill Road, and replace this with a raised speed table at the proposed junction.

A reserved matters application for the scheme will be submitted at a later date.