Last updated 19:33, Thursday, 06 November 2008

GREAT Clifton residents say that their village is dying because of a lack of affordable housing for young people.

Villagers are angry that Allerdale council granted planning permission for 60 log cabins for holidaymakers at the Melbreak Hotel at the nearby Crossbarrow, but plans for new homes in Great Clifton were refused.

John Blacklock, 77, of Bowflatts, who has lived in the village since he was 10 years old, said: “We had everything in this village. We had two big shops, three pubs and the Co-operative but now there’s nothing because nobody can afford the house prices and everybody has had to move.

“Log cabins are not a lot of good for young families. There should be working class houses built here. I would like to see some more houses for young people.”

Mr Blacklock’s great granddaughter, Kirsty Blacklock, lives in a council house in the village.

She said: “I would love to own a house in Great Clifton but I wouldn’t be able to afford it.”

Alison Blenkharn, of the Gavels, Great Clifton, said: “The community of Great Clifton is dying for the want of new homes for young families.

“My nephew’s girlfriend is going to have a baby and they are living in a one bedroom flat.”

Businessman John Elliot wants to build a 23-home estate on land off William Street in Great Clifton but his five planning applications have been rejected because the site now falls outside the village boundary and is classed as a green field site.

A council spokesman said: “The site that Mr Elliot planned to build homes on was confirmed as green-field by the Government's planning inspector as the land had been re-absorbed into the countryside.

“The approval for the log cabin development was recommended based on economic investment of an established tourist facility and is unrelated to affordable housing.”