Planning application submitted for flagship Carlisle campus project
University of Cumbria’s flagship Carlisle Citadels campus project has taken another step forward with the submission of the formal planning application to Carlisle City Council.
The planning application follows the recent announcement of Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), being appointed as sole contractor for this transformational build, to create a new University of Cumbria campus in the heart of the city.
The plans will now be shared publicly and the city council will undertake a period of consultation where views on the proposed development can be expressed.
Designed by DAY Architectural Ltd., the new campus plans include the retention of the two Grade I listed Citadel rotundas on the proposed site along with other historic and heritage features, including the Woolworth and Burton’s buildings. Accessible, inclusive, and inspirational, the design also seeks to open the site and facilities, in a managed way, to the local community.
University of Cumbria, Vice Chancellor, Professor Julie Mennell said: “The submission of the planning application takes us another step closer to realising our ambition to develop a new university campus in the heart of the city.
“A truly transformational project, the new Citadels campus will increase the accessibility, reach and impact of our academic offer.
“It will also add vibrancy to the city centre increasing activity, footfall and investment, and support our region’s post-covid recovery.”
The Carlisle Citadels campus project has been developed by the University of Cumbria, Cumbria County Council, Carlisle City Council, and Cumbria LEP as a key partner.
£50 million of funding for the project is being provided by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal with and additional £4million from the Carlisle Town Deal Fund and the university expected to help meet the £77.5 million total cost.
It is hoped that the planning application process will be completed in the summer, with the main construction work beginning in the first half of 2023, and completion forecasted for spring 2026.
There will be some site preparation work later this year, including archaeological investigations and other construction related survey work.
ENDS
Images show the propsed new campus designs
Pic 1 - View from Carlisle viaduct
Pic 2 - Ariel view of the Citadels campus
Pic 3 - Front of the new Citadels campus on English Street
Pic 4 - The centre of the new Citadels campus
Pic 5 - view of Citadels campus from the corner of English Street
Notes for editors
The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal was signed in March 2021. The £350 million investment in the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, from the UK and Scottish Governments, is made up of £150 million for Scotland (£85 million from the Scottish Government and £65 million from the UK Government) and up to £200 million for England from the UK Government. This will be supported by over £100million of funding from local partners.
The Borderlands Partnership is made up of Carlisle City Council, Cumbria County Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Northumberland County Council, Scottish Borders Council.