Plans to create a 'lagoon' capable of storing four million gallons of slurry less than a mile from a village have been given the go-ahead.

The clay-lined pit is set to be created on land near Dobcross Hall farm at Gaitsgill after a planning application was unanimously approved by Carlisle City Council's development committee on Friday.

Planning officer John Hiscox told a virtual meeting of the committee that the development would be within a mile of the village of Stockdalewath and 350 metres away from the cluster of existing farm buildings, enabling slurry from housed cattle to be stored and distributed to the 216 hectares of land comprising the Dobcross Hall and Beacon Hill farms.

Councillor John Collier moved the officer's recommendation to approve the Dobcross Hall farmers' plans, subject to conditions.

He said: "The farming industry at the moment is going through a very bad patch and I think that anything we can do assist them at this time we should recommend."

Mr Hiscox told the committee objections had been received from six separate parties or households with concerns around odour and insects, pollution from seepage and impacts on landscape, visual and biodiversity.

The applicants were said to have provided assurances that measures would be taken to minimise impacts, including mixing a product into the slurry which would allegedly reduce odour and insects and using a dribble bar to spread the slurry directly onto the ground rather than spreading it into the air.

He said the applicants had claimed the nearest house not occupied by them was about half a mile away.

The prospect of potential pollution had not prompted an objection from any of the statutory consultees, Mr Hiscox said, and he noted that the Environment Agency would ensure it was happy with the construction.

It was hoped that the landscape and visual impact would be mitigated by the presence of woodland, hedgerows and trees screening the lagoon and fence or acting as a backdrop.

A condition was attached to the planning permission requiring a 1.85 metre fence to be erected for added security and councillors agreed a hedgerow which the applicants had suggested would help it to blend into its surroundings.

Mr Hiscox said: "During the consideration period of the application, the applicants have sought to address the concerns raised and provide information to clarify how it would operate and mitigate where necessary.

"This is considered to be an adequate response in relation to all outstanding matters.

"It's therefore concluded that there are no overriding planning concerns relating to the proposals, hence the recommendation to approve subject to conditions."