TOURISM will take a hit and an iconic Morecambe Bay view will be 'destroyed' now a proposed housing estate has been given the green light, according to residents.

People living in Grange-over-Sands say their town's economy will suffer after South Lakeland District Council planners approved a 64-home development on pasture land off Thornfield Road.

"Local residents consider that the cost to the local community significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits," said resident Christopher Eckersley, who addressed the planning committee in Kendal.

"Local residents believe that replacing panoramic views of Morecambe Bay with a suburban housing estate will have an adverse effect on tourism and on local businesses."

Resident Valerie Kennedy told them: "The economy of Grange-over-Sands and the Cartmel peninsula depends on tourism.

"Tourists come to Grange because of the Edwardian ambience of the town and the ever-changing views of Morecambe Bay. Will they still want to come when those views are diminished by a suburban housing estate?"

The plans are for 64 homes on land known as Tricketts Field, with around 35 per cent set to be 'affordable'.

They will involve the removal of part of an 'avenue' of lime trees which run along Kents Bank Road.

The committee was also addressed by resident Peter Nightingale, on behalf of 200 others, citing concerns over surface water drainage issues and highway safety.

But councillors said the town was in need of new homes - particularly affordable ones.

"Whenever you have these housing schemes they're not really popular and it's unfortunate really if you've got a nice house with a field at the back and then someone comes along and builds a lot of houses," said said Cllr Brian Cooper.

"It's unfortunate and I can see their point-of-view but we do need houses."

Bernard Greep, of Peter Brett Associates on behalf of the applicants, said 'a lot of work' had gone into addressing technical constraints, particularly in regards to drainage and highways.

"It's exactly in line with national planning policy," he said.

"This is a suburban housing scheme and it's a very high quality scheme which picks up references of different parts of the conservation area, in individually designed and styled properties."