Local residents and businesses are being given the opportunity to view a virtual exhibition showcasing ambitious plans for the development of Carlisle.
The city is set to grow and in autumn 2019 Carlisle was announced as one of the 101 places selected to create a Town Deal. This allowed councils to access up to £25 million from the UK government’s £3.6 billion Towns Fund. The fund aims to support urban regeneration, skills development and improve connectivity in small cities and towns.
Carlisle’s Town Deal Board, made up of representatives from key public and private sector organisations in the city, was formed in January 2020 to steer Carlisle’s vision and objectives for the Town Deal.
The first stage of agreeing a Town Deal is the creation of a Town Investment Plan, which sets a clear vision for Carlisle’s future. Carlisle’s Investment Plan will capture the significant investments already taking place in the city including: The Borderlands Carlisle Station Gateway and Citadels project, St Cuthbert’s Garden Village and the Future High Street Fund proposals for the city centre, as well as proposing new projects to be funded by the Town Deal.
Carlisle’s Town Deal Board has been asking for local people and businesses to have their say on the vision and objectives for the Investment Plan.
A new virtual exhibition has been launched and is available at www.carlisle.gov.uk/regeneration
It uses new technology to create a 360 Virtual Reality online exhibition for the Investment Plan. This includes details on the shortlisted projects for Carlisle’s Investment Plan:
- Carlisle Southern Gateway.
- Digital and Community Learning Hub.
- Start with the Park (St Cuthbert’s Garden Village).
- City Centre Cultural Investments: Tullie House and city centre events projects.
- Citadels Innovation Hub.
- Carlisle Indoor Market.
Details of the projects can be found in the virtual exhibition.
Alongside these projects, Carlisle has recently secured an additional £1 million for the city through the government’s Towns Fund. This money will fund:
- Caldew Riverside - to help remediate the contaminated site, to prepare for a new urban living development on the edge of the city centre- £850,000.
- Improvements to Bitts Park - £150,000.
Cllr John Mallinson, Leader of Carlisle City Council said:
“This is a very exciting time for Carlisle, with huge opportunities presented for the city through funding from the Towns Fund, as well as the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, Future High Street Fund and St Cuthbert’s Garden Village. Together these funds provide opportunities for the most significant levels of investment that Carlisle has seen for a very long time. The Investment Plan will capture all the projects taking place in the city, and it will help drive Carlisle forward in the future.
“Our virtual exhibition will provide updates on the plans and will continue to be updated to coincide with the development of the Investment Plan and Carlisle’s Town Deal, acting as a new virtual hub for engagement.”
Emma Porter, Story Contracting and Carlisle Town Deal Board Chair added:
“It is thanks to the hard work and vision of the team working on the Towns Fund for Carlisle including the staff, key partners and Town Deal Board members that £1 million has already been secured for Carlisle. I’m looking forward to seeing how much more we can secure and deliver by continuing to work together and urge the public to get involved and have their say. Now is the time to shape our future.”