University announces campus proposals for Carlisle
This week the University of Cumbria
announces its plans to develop its estate in Carlisle, which could
include the creation of a new campus on the Caldew Riverside - one
of the key city centre sites earmarked for regeneration, as part of
Carlisle
Renaissance.
The University is working with Carlisle City Council and local
stakeholders to develop the proposal that could see £70m investment
in the Carlisle area. One of the proposals looks at developing a
new campus on the Caldew Riverside regeneration area adjacent to
the main railway station from 2010. It would be developed as a high
quality state of the art campus housing the new headquarters and
include the majority of the University's academic activity for
Carlisle. Students would benefit from a new vibrant Students' Union
facility, easy access to the Milbourne Street library and resources
building via a new footbridge and a 'Riverside walk' leading to
playing fields, parks and Devonshire Walk car parking.
Professor Christopher J Carr, Vice Chancellor of the University
says:
"The University of Cumbria is now established in
name however we must now begin the journey from being a collection
of legacy institutions to a respected and high-performing county
university with national and international reach. The student
experience is paramount and we want to ensure that any developments
and investment we make meet the needs of our current and future
students. These plans are at a very early stage in development and
a lot of work still needs to be done. We face some challenges
however this is an exciting time for us, the city and the county.
All the developments that have been considered are designed to
ensure we develop our curriculum to meet the needs of our students,
local employers and targeted industry sectors. This encompasses our
commitment to widening participation and engagement with employers
through our enterprise activity and provide the very best IT and
learning technology facilities for our students in the future."
Councillor Ray Bloxham, Deputy Leader of Carlisle City Council
says:
"The proposals are a huge step forward for the
regeneration of Carlisle’s city centre and provide an exciting
opportunity for both the City Council, the University, the local
economy and the future development of education opportunities in
Carlisle.
"We are committed to moving Carlisle on as a
Learning City and the Caldew Riverside option provides
opportunities for further regeneration in areas to the West of the
city and allows for the riverside to be opened up and utilised to
its best potential.
"We are pleased to be working with the University
and look forward to moving this development on for the benefit of
local communities and the area as a whole. This is what Carlisle
Renaissance is all about."
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