CONTROVERSIAL police plans to build cells at Houghton – thrown out by Carlisle City councillors last month – will fall under the spotlight again today.

Cumbria’s chief constable, Michael Baxter, will report back to the county’s Police Authority for the first time since the application was refused following a huge public outcry.

Almost 1,000 people objected to proposals to build 24 cells on the site of the force’s current traffic unit at Houghton Road, on the edge of the city.

Reg Watson, chairman of the Police Authority, which oversees the running of the force, said at the time that the only option left was to appeal against the decision.

Councillors on the authority’s development control committee voted by six to five to refuse planning permission three weeks ago after hearing pleas from worried residents.

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