Town councillors feel their views are being ignored as plans for two controversial housing developments move forward.

The comment was made as Whitehaven Town Council considered two reserved matters applications for housing developments at Harras Moor, following outline approval being granted by Copeland Council.

Plans for 85 houses at Harras Dyke Farm and five houses at Harras Road have been opposed by the town councillors and residents, with concerns raised over the infrastructure.

Speaking at the meeting, Julie Rayson, who represents Hillcrest, said: "It's pointless us being considered because they don't take any notice of what we say."

Brian O'Kane, who represents Whitehaven Central North, suggested the town council makes a request for the reserved matters applications to be put before the full planning panel.

Graham Roberts, who represents the Harras ward, said: "I've had residents on to me about the inconclusive traffic surveys that have been done. Myself, the residents and the county council, are still arguing over the traffic volumes.

"There is another aspect - overcrowding. To want to build 90 houses on a strip of land of that size is absolutely ludicrous.

"There are problems at the moment with St Benedict's School. I'm still waiting for conclusive reports from the county council officers."

Ed Dinsdale, who represents Corkickle South, said: "There are infrastructure issues here. I've objected to these houses and I'll carry on objecting due to the strain it will put on an already creaking infrastructure."

Cllr O'Kane added: "This is a fragmented approach to the town. Because the developers are applying at different times, there isn't necessarily an overview to look at the totality of the applications and look at them in terms of the development of that particular area and how it affects the infrastructure.

"If you access that bridge down by Victoria Road, you're accessing two schools. Traffic is horrendous now, never mind in the future."

Ray Gill, who represents Sneckyeat South, said: "We have opposed this all along. On three or four occasions, we have been to the council, with the same issue, same area. We've had little response from them. At the same time, we need to do our bit and if anything goes belly-up, we know where the blame lies."

Councillors agreed to make a request that the applications are referred to Copeland Council's planning panel.

A spokesperson for Copeland Council said: “The town council is a statutory consultee on all planning applications in the Whitehaven area. All material considerations raised by the town council are taken into account in the assessment of any planning proposal by Council Officers.”