Have your say on City Centre conservation boundary

(Date of issue: Wednesday, 20 May 2009)

From next week, local residents are being asked to have their say on which areas of Carlisle should be included within the City Centre Conservation Area.

Carlisle City Council is reviewing the boundary of this particular conservation area that includes the Castle, Cathedral and the Citadel.

The boundary review includes an appraisal of those parts of the city immediately adjacent to the existing designated area and examines their historical, architectural and townscape significance.

It highlights the positive features that could support additions to the Conservation Area and draws attention to those elements that have a negative impact on their character.

This work will form part of a public exhibition that aims to seek local views on whether any part of the City Centre Conservation Area should be expanded, reduced or kept as it is.

The exhibition will be held:

• Wednesday, 27 May - Sunday, 30 May at Carlisle Library in The Lanes – City Council staff will be available to answer questions between 10am and 4pm, Wednesday – Friday; and
• Monday, 1 June – Wednesday, 3 June at the Assembly Rooms, Old Town Hall - City Council staff will be available to answer questions between 10am and 4pm, each day.

A leaflet based on the exhibition and a questionnaire will be available at the events. Copies will be also available by contacting 01228 817195 or visiting www.carlisle.gov.uk  or from the Civic Centre’s Customer Contact Centre.

Carlisle City Cllr Ray Bloxham, Portfolio holder for Environment and Infrastructure, said:

“As the planning authority for the Carlisle district, we deal with thousands of planning applications each year and for each of them we look at our policies when deciding whether they should be approved or not. From time to time we review these policies to ensure that they still reflect the needs of local communities. There is now an opportunity for local residents and businesses to have their say and I hope they take up this opportunity.”

Anyone wishing to give their views has until Friday, 3 July 2009 to send in their response. Comments and completed questionnaires should be returned to Local Plans and Conservation Section, Planning and Housing Services, Civic Centre, Carlisle CA3 8QG or email lpc@carlisle.gov.uk