CONTROVERSIAL plans for a large housing estate are set for 'further scrutiny' according to the council, following concerns raised by a Cumbrian MP.

The Story Homes application for 180 new houses at Yearl Rise, Seaton was controversially approved by the Cumberland Council planning committee last week.

But in a letter sent on Tuesday, April 30 and seen by the Times & Star, the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities directed the council not to grant planning permission for the application.

Workington MP Mark Jenkinson said: "I am very pleased that the Secretary of State has asked Cumberland Council to hold off granting – at least for now – the controversial planning application for 180 houses in Seaton. This is in direct response to the representations I have made on behalf of my constituents calling for a halt."

Mr Jenkinson said that he wants the secretary of state to look into what he described as 'possible planning contraventions' which he claimed 'should have been more robustly scrutinised'.

"Whilst this intervention from the Government is welcome news, I want to stress that the threshold for a full ‘call in’ is very high," he said.

"The principle of development on this site was agreed a couple of years ago with barely a murmur of objection, and next steps should focus on mitigating impacts."

Mr Jenkinson raised concerns about 'the lack of s106 contribution to schools, roads and affordable housing', which he says  'is particularly worrying', and that the council’s policy is for 20 per cent affordable housing, yet developers Story Homes have only been asked for 10 per cent.

He said the council have given the developer 'a very easy ride'.

The plans have been strongly objected to by Seaton Parish Council who are said to be 'disgusted' by the approval.

Councillor Daniel Horsley said: "Seaton Parish Council are absolutely disgusted in the approval of 180 homes. Over 300 valid objections were raised and seem to have been completely ignored."

A Cumberland Council spokesperson said: “The application was debated and approved at a recent planning committee.

"Conditions and legal agreement were included with the approval including the provision of affordable homes, public open space and travel plan monitoring.

“As the decision is now subject to further scrutiny, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.”

A spokesperson for Story Homes, said: “Our proposals have been carefully considered to address concerns relating to infrastructure capacity and highway safety.

"We have worked collaboratively with the relevant authorities to design proposals that will mitigate such concerns and will deliver benefits to the local community.

“The scheme will deliver highway improvements on Seaton Road as well as a travel plan, and will make an important contribution towards housing delivery, including the provision of 18 new affordable homes for local people.

"Areas of public open space, including an equipped area of play, will be delivered on-site which will be accessible to the local community.

“The homes will be energy efficient featuring electric vehicle charging points to each home and photovoltaic cells, and will be accompanied by attractive landscaped areas which will offer ecological and biodiversity enhancement.”