ENFORCEMENT action could be taken against waste tipping in an old railway cutting within the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The site is in Sandside, close to the former Hudson's Garage, and is owned by Priory Building Company.

Cumbria County Council's development control and regulation committee was told the landowner had recently started landfill operations within the railway cutting.

"It is understood the material which is being deposited is excavated material from a construction site near Grange-over-Sands," explained Alan Gyte, director of community, economy and environment in a report.

"The company has been informed that the development is unauthorised but the operations have continued."

The company is now seeking retrospective planning permission from CCC for landfill.

During a site visit, planners noted that the tipping appeared to have stopped.

However, if it started again, enforcement action could be taken to require the landowner to stop tipping waste, restore the site and plant trees to replace those which have been felled.

Meanwhile, Priory Building Company has submitted fresh plans to South Lakeland District Council to build workshops at the site.

Its previous applications to build homes at the site have been rejected.