PLANNERS have given the final go-ahead to controversial proposals to build 50 new homes at Old Coal Yard, North Road, Carnforth.

Outline permission for housing on the site had already been granted by Lancaster City Council, but Warrington-based developers David Wilson Homes North West got full planning permission for its new design for 50 homes in two and three-storey buildings - seven of the properties will be available as affordable housing at 60 per cent of market value.

Residents of North Road submitted nine letters of objection, raising increased traffic, over-development, loss of trees and loss of privacy as their main reservations, but the planning committee approved the scheme.

At the same meeting, however, the committee came down against an outline application for 15 holiday homes at the Capernwray Diving Centre at Jackdaw Quarry, Over Kellet. The application was for 15 timber-clad, two-bedroom cottages with grass roofs and decking terraces around the edge of the quarry.

LCC planners refused the application because of concerns that the development would have an adverse effect on a County Biological Heritage Site, harm the "open character" of the quarry and create traffic problems.