THE inspector set to decide whether a controversial housing estate is built near an historic tourist attraction visited the site yesterday.

An inquiry is under way into the proposed development of 38  homes on  land around Manor Road and Rating Lane, in Barrow, near  Furness Abbey.

The inquiry was sparked by an appeal  from Story Homes, the developer which saw its planning application for the homes turned down by Barrow Borough Council.

The inquiry resumed yesterday at Barrow Town Hall before the site visit.

Paul Littlewood, of the Stop Manor Road Development campaign, says that he hopes the inspector, Mr Richard McCoy, will see the site's relationship with Furness Abbey and its assets.

He said: "We are hoping the inspector will see the site for what relationship it has in the approach with the abbey.

"For over two years we have been campaigning, and the inspector has let us have an input to the inquiry.

"It is now up to the inspector to make his decision."

The original plans were rejected back in December 2014 by  the council's planning committee, as they were deemed to present an "unacceptable" impact on the area.

Following the original proposal, the plans have received criticism from campaigners over  their close proximity to the abbey and the surrounding assets of the abbey wall, manor farm house and conservation area.

However, Story Homes  is  making the case that there would not be any significant harm to the concerned assets if development of the dwellings went ahead.

Jason Clemons, of CgMs Consulting, speaking on behalf of Story Homes,  said he hopes the inspector will see that any potential development would not cause any significant harm to the surrounding area.

Mr Clemons said: "It is about the direct impact which includes the setting, and that is all about how you experience the assets.

"By him (the inspector) seeing the site in the context of the assets, we hope that he will see how little the impact will be."