Plans have been revealed to demolish and replace a Carlisle car showroom and service centre.
Arnold Clark Limited has submitted a planning application to Carlisle City Council to build a new Ford Service Centre.
The proposal involves demolishing the existing service centre/hire drive building at Wakefield Road, Carlisle and building a new centre with a workshop, MoT facility and administration spaces.
A new vehicle wash bay will be constructed, and additional space for vehicle sales and customer and staff parking.
A vehicle service compound is also included in the plans.
Its design and access statement says: “The service centre has become somewhat dated and is a mix of various extensions.
“The site however is in a strategic location for the group and a number of options have been examined to either refurbish the existing building or redevelop the site to suit current requirements.”
Arnold Clark is one of the largest car dealer groups in Europe selling 300,000 cars a year.
It said: “The proposed development enhances the site to provide a coherent service centre.
“The new configuration also increased the number of display vehicles which in turn encourages investment and maintains economic competitiveness whilst offering local employment opportunities, without creating undue harm to local character or amenities, consistent with the development plan and material considerations of the National Planning Policy framework.”
Existing access positions to the service centre will be retained, while the showroom will be accessed via a new entrance in and out of the site.
“The site will have convenient oversized customer parking bays and designated disabled person’s parking spaces situated close to the main entrance for both buildings.
“Staff parking will be located behind the sales centre, beside the valet building.”
