RESIDENTS were 'thrilled' after a Dalton housing development they were opposed to was refused.  

A planing application to build 79 houses in fields at the junction of Long Lane and Newton Road, Dalton was submitted to Barrow Borough Council by Mr D Barnes, of Blackburn.  

The planning committee met in Barrow Town Hall on Tuesday and councillors unanimously agreed to refuse it. 

The committee heard from resident, Liz Colver, from Barnes Avenue, Dalton who had previously organised a petition against the development. 

She was accompanied in the town hall by other Dalton residents. 

She said: "This is a greenfield site and a lot of wildlife would lose its habitat - including the critically endangered hedgehog. 

"We are also questioning how many additional houses are required in Dalton, as there are over 100 properties for sale in Dalton alone. Many of these properties have been on the market for a year or more. 

"The proposed development is poorly located in relation to amenities, in particular primary schools, the nearest being at capacity. 

"Dalton does not have a dentist, a vet, a bank or a fire station and it only has one doctor's surgery and a part-time police station." 

During the discussion it was mentioned by planning officer Charles Wilton that the new local plan had listed this site as a possible preferred location for future development. 

He said: "This new local plan is relatively early in the process and this should be dealt with on the basis of the existing policy.

"To describe this planning application in just one word would be to say that is is premature." 

Mrs Colver also spoke about the problems with traffic congestion in Dalton. 

She said: "Traffic is already a problem in south Dalton with a constant stream of lorries going to and from the Station Quarry at speeds often well in excess of 40mph.

"By the grace of God, to date there have been no fatalities but increasing the number of cars using those crossroads by building a development there increases the likelihood. Who will stand accountable when a child is killed?" 

Barrow Borough Councillor Bill McEwan said: "There's a bad junction there and if we were to put a construction site there it would cause more congestion. "There would be all sorts of disruptions. I agree with the recommendation of refusal."

After the meeting, Mrs Colver said she, along with all the other residents who were opposed to the development, were thrilled with the decision made by the planning committee. 

She added: "We are absolutely delighted that it has been refused."