A GROUP of residents from Harrington have voiced their opposition to a new housing development in the town - as the developer says it has designed its new site to 'enrich biodiversity'.

Plans were submitted for the development of 99 homes on the rear of an existing residential area at Woodville Way/ Ruskin Close in High Harrington back in 2022. The plans have since been changed, with developer Gleeson amending the application in January of this year to create 79 new homes on the site.

However, some residents still think the application is too large for the village, with major concerns being raised by residents who say there are a number of red squirrels in the area.

Harrington town councillor Paul Larkin said: "I personally don’t feel the infrastructure in place at the moment in High Harrington is capable of dealing with any extra houses being built.

"It’s already failing with the houses that have already been built in High Harrington... the schools are already oversubscribed.

"The government are trying to reduce people’s carbon footprint, yet this development will add a further 158 cars into the roads network, thereby increasing damaging emissions into our already fragile environment.

"And of course there are red squirrel dreys (nests) in the woodland, remembering of course these playful squirrels are protected in law.

"From listening to the local community, they seem to have had enough of the continuous house building, the lack of funding being put into the local infrastructure and the general disregard of residents' opinions."

Mr Larkin has said he was seen red squirrels on the land very recently and running from garden to garden near the site when walking around the village.

A spokesman for Gleeson Homes said: “We understand and have listened to the concerns of local residents, who are passionate about protecting local wildlife, particularly the native red squirrel population.

"This concern is in line with our own philosophy as a responsible developer, as we seek to contribute positively to the environment and wider communities in which we operate.

“With this in mind, and working closely with a professional ecologist, we have designed our new site at High Harrington to preserve and enrich its biodiversity, aiming for a 10 per cent net gain, over and above the regulations required.

"This includes the development of buffer areas to safeguard nearby woodland, retaining hedgerows, and prioritising wildlife-friendly planting. We are actively working with Cumberland Council to deliver the best outcome for all involved, with the addition of quality, affordable homes and new jobs being created for the local area."