Campaigners against proposed housing near a historic landmark have expressed their delight at the news it will not go ahead following a recent inquiry.

The inquiry was regarding an appeal for a proposal by Story Homes to build 38 new homes off Manor Road, Barrow, near Furness Abbey.

The original proposal was rejected in 2014, and the appeal has now been dismissed by Richard McCoy of the Planning Inspectorate.

Paul Littlewood, of the campaign, said: "This is absolutely fantastic. It is a great result for all the support everyone has put into it and the small group who kept the campaign going.

"We have set out what we wanted to achieve. We have no issues with Story Homes or with more housing coming to the area, we just didn't want it at this conservation site.

"It is a rural atmosphere and that is what we have been saying all along."

As well as the inquiry from January 26 to 29, Mr McCoy, representatives of Story Homes and members of the campaign also undertook a site visit to the proposed housing area on March 10.

In his report, Mr McCoy said that, while some matters in the proposal would not be harmful, they would not outweigh the harm to the preservation or enhancement of the assets.

In his conclusion, he stated: "Although the proposal would not be harmful in terms of other matters and would bring benefits of significant weight, I consider these matters would not be sufficient to outweigh the harm.

"I have given considerable weight to paying both special regard to the desirability of preserving the settings of listed buildings and special attention to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of the conservation area.

"Therefore for the reasons set out above, I consider that the appeal should be dismissed.

Story Homes planner, David Hayward, said: "We are disappointed that the appeal has been dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate.

"Following public consultation, we worked closely with the local authority's urban designers, as well as English Heritage, to create a design that would be sympathetic to its historic surroundings.

"Story Homes will consider its options in respect of development proposals for Barrow."