ANGRY villagers are fighting to stop six new houses being built just metres away from their homes.

Construction work on a new estate off Shore Road in Silverdale began two weeks ago but neighbouring residents claim that Carlisle-based Two Castles Housing Association plan building work on land they don't own.

John Hammond, whose home overlooks the field where the houses are being built, says that plans for an access road to the new estate shows it going over land which is owned by his neighbour Tim Proctor.

They maintain the error makes planning permission invalid and they are pushing the city council to take action.

Mr Hammond said: "This reduces the potential width of the road by about a third and the road they are putting in is far too wide for the land available. This is surely so serious an inaccuracy that the planning permission is not valid and they should stop work and be made to reapply on amended plans."

Permission for the low cost housing was given in 1996 despite vocal protests from villagers and the parish council.

Acting chief planning officer, David Hall, said it was not up to them to arbitrate in land disputes.

He added: "As a matter of prudence we have advised the housing association to cease work on the site until this is resolved. I understand the developers are continuing on site but all we can do is advise them to stop at this stage."

Despite the advice development manager for Two Castles David Robinson would not confirm work on the site would stop. "All I can say is that the area of dispute is now in the hands of our solicitors," he said.