TOWN councillors have given the thumbs down to a proposed housing development which would see the former Ulverston Victoria High Lower School demolished.

The plan to build 27 flats and 39 houses, put forward by Crowther Homes Ltd, of Natland, was opposed by Ulverston Town Council this week for a number of reasons, including lack of access and over-intensive development.

"I put it to council that we should oppose on the grounds that it is over-intensive.

Can you imagine a worse place in town to put 68 new dwellings," said Coun Phil Lister.

He added: "These people are trapped in there, there is only one point of access."

Coun Wendy Kolbe said she was pushing to achieve listed building status for the former school building, which is situated on Hart Street.

"It is not a particularly old building but it is in a beautiful place and we believe that it has got a quality of its own.

So many people have been to this school or their parents have.

The more people that write to South Lakeland District Council, the better chance we have of stopping it," she said.

Coun Pauline Halfpenny reminded members of the public who opposed the development to sign the petition in the Neighbourhood Development offices at Cross Street.

"This is not a petition with people collecting names on street corners, people actively have to go and sign it which shows their level of commitment," she said.

Following the outcome of the town council meeting, Gary Middlebrook managing director of Crowther Homes Ltd.

was unavailable to comment, but a statement was issued on his behalf.

It said: "The site, as far as we are concerned, is not commercially viable without demolishing the building."

Mr Middlebrook was not prepared to answer specific points about the plan at this stage in the planning process.