PLANS to sell off a piece of green land to a house-builder have sparked fierce objections and reignited calls for a second bridge linking Walney to the mainland.

Residents have been voicing their opposition after it was revealed that Barrow Borough Council was selling two sites off Solway Drive on Walney in the hope a property developer would build around 40 new homes.

The briefing published by the council makes it clear that the authority wants the sites to be turned into houses as quickly as possible, with strict time limits on various aspects of the sale and development meaning construction could start within a few months of the sale.

Of those who commented on The Mail's Facebook post about the plans, many objecting to the plans argued that the site was a vital conservation area.

Ben North said: "Natterjack toads are all over that area. How can you build houses on a protected species' habitat?"

Denis Horan added: "That area is a wildlife haven and should be protected."

Neighbouring resident Stacey Wakeman said: "I live opposite this land, kids play on this land and love finding wildlife that is on it, like the Natterjack toads and birds that visit, and bats. This will be such a sad loss to lose this land."

Many also said Walney would have to have a second, or improved, bridge if any more new homes were built on the island.

Dan Purdy said: "Walney needs two bridges if this goes ahead, plus probably a new flood plain."

Over the years, many reasons have been given to justify a second bridge between Walney and Barrow.

Roadworks, crashes, resurfacing work, road closures and the raising of the bridge have repeatedly highlighted the issue.

And in 2014, Walney's isolation, because of its sole access route, led to the entire island and its 10,600 residents being added to the nuclear emergency zone surrounding the shipyard.

The emergency planning area had previously been based on two overlapping circles stipulated by a radius from the Wet Dock Quay and Ramsden Dock Basin.

In its report, the ONR said that "in the unlikely event of evacuation of parts of Walney Island, this would inevitably require moving individuals closer to the source of the radiation emergency for a limited period because access to Walney Island is controlled by the Jubilee Bridge".

Housing developers who are interested in buying one or both of the sites are asked to submit closed bids to the council, with details of their plans for the land, by noon on Friday August 25.