A draft Carlisle masterplan has been published to map the future of the city for the next 25 years.
The plan, drawn up by Cumberland Council after consultation with partners and the wider community, sets out a vision, strategy and potential projects. The projects vary in scale and complexity.
Now, people can have their say on the draft plan until July 31.
It says Carlisle is a quietly successful city with many assets, which has the opportunity to build on its strengths and realise its full potential.
It added: “The city has a strong regional retail and service centre which has resisted out-of-town competition, but faces many of the challenges as other centres in terms of changing retail habits.
“It has many of the qualities of internationally recognised visitor destination cities, but does not currently fully realise the opportunities that they bring.
“It has a good level of economic activity, but a need to create higher value jobs which can support an uplift in local income.
“The city has an ageing population and shrinking workforce, and needs to be able to attract and/or retain a young and skilled demographic to remain economically sustainable.
“The physical isolation of the city means it must act a centre for the region, meeting as many of its local needs as possible.”
The masterplan says opportunities include:
- Drawing on the city’s strategic location in relation to transport, energy to support inward investment and economic development.
- Leveraging the completion of the Carlisle Southern Link Road to transform how traffic moves around the city, improve regional accessibility and reduce the impact of traffic on the city centre.
- Growing the role and presence of the university in the city.
- Making the most of the city’s many assets and proximity to rural destinations to create a more active visitor economy, including better accommodation.
- Continuing the momentum for public realm enhancement to transform the rest of the city centre.
- Developing brownfield sites and low-intensity uses to provide new uses which complement the city centre and help to deliver new homes
It added that Carlisle will embrace its role as a regional capital which provides the services and facilities of a larger city, to meet the needs of its wide catchment.
It will support the region’s economic strategy, driving a move to higher-income employment, and complementing the specialist economy of west Cumberland.
It will reinforce its role as a regional shopping destination and grow its role as a centre for culture and leisure, recognising the challenges facing retail centres as a result of changing national trends.
Carlisle will expand its role as a local, regional, national and international destination for tourism, drawing on the exceptional heritage and natural assets within and surrounding the city, and growing its cultural assets.
It will become more recognised nationally and internationally, promoting its offer more confidently as a destination in its own right and as a base for exploring Cumbria and Border regions.
The masterplan also includes transport – like a bus strategy and which areas of the city should be the focus for growth.
For more information about the masterplan and fill out a survey, visit https://consult.cumberland.gov.uk/carlisle-city-masterplan
Engagement events will also be held at the Assembly Rooms in the Old Town Hall Carlisle on:
- Wednesday July 15, 3pm-7pm
- Monday July 20, 10am-1pm
- Wednesday July 22, 2pm-6pm
Leader of Cumberland Council, Mark Fryer, said: “There has been significant investment in Carlisle and the recent improvement works in the city centre have provided significant benefits. We need to build on the momentum and support the city’s economic future.
“The draft masterplan represents a vision and a strategy that sets the direction for regeneration in the city for the next 25 years and beyond.”
All of the proposals in the masterplan will require further detailed feasibility assessment and design prior to being confirmed and delivered, the authority said.
Over the lifespan of the masterplan, Cumberland Council said it would continuously review whether the pipeline of proposals needs to be refreshed as the result of changing context or emerging opportunities.
