Plans for the £20 million transformation of Carlisle’s train station have taken a step forward.
Proposals have been submitted to demolish a nearby building to facilitate its expansion.
Carlisle City Council has received an application for permission from Cumbria County Council, which is requesting the demolition of the former Staples building.
If the application is approved by the city council’s planning panel, the former Staples unit on Station Business Park will be demolished to create a new car park.
Cash for the Carlisle Station Gateway project has been allocated through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal.
Eric Wright Civil Engineering is the principle contractor.
Liaising with Electricity North West, the contractor will set up demolition exclusion zones around the area, installing protection work around the north west corner and others where necessary.
Access to the site will be via James Street but the plan reads: “Other businesses are operating along this route including the Matalan store next door, these will all require continuous access.”
“Bradley Demolition Ltd will monitor noise levels during the course of the works. It is accepted that noise cannot be eliminated entirely, but reasonable steps will be taken to reduce any adverse effects of noise generated by the works on both the local residents and the occupants.”
Leaders say Carlisle is entering an exciting period in its history as plans are also underway to redevelop the Grade I listed Citadels into a state-of-the-art University of Cumbria campus.
Carlisle MP John Stevenson said the station redevelopment would be positive for the region and South West Scotland.
“The regeneration is part of the Borderlands Growth Initiative,” he said. “It’s hugely welcome. Infrastructure is part of regeneration of the area.
“It’s very exciting because it’ll be the first refurbishment of the station in many years and the station badly needs to be modernised.”
The redevelopment has been secured through joint working between Cumbria County Council, Carlisle City Council, Network Rail and Avanti.
Mr Stevenson said: “It’s been extremely collegiate and it’s a really important investment in the city.
“For the first time in almost decades, there’s a huge amount of investment coming into the city.”
Leader of Cumbria County Council Stewart Young said: “Carlisle Station Gateway is an ambitious £20m Borderlands scheme, and the demolition of the old Staples building is an important step – and one I am delighted to see progressing, as tangible evidence of this transformational project for our area.”
