Plans for new city centre car park and public space approved by council

Yahoo

10-04-2025

PLANS for the next phase of a major redevelopment of Carlisle's Citadel Station were approved this week.
Cumberland Council is hoping to create a new Southern Gateway on land between Water Street and James Street.
The planning application was for what is described as 'hybrid full/outline planning permission' for public realm enhancements and the new gateway.
Members of the council's planning committee meet at Allerdale House in Workington on Wednesday (April 9) to consider the application which also includes plans to redevelop the Station Road Business Park including a new surface car park.
It was recommended that the application was granted subject to a number of planning conditions and, when the matter was put to the vote it was unanimously approved.
However, before they considered the application, three committee members removed themselves from the meeting, because they had received a briefing on the whole station redevelopment and they had been advised to do so, so there was no way they could be accused of 'pre-determining' the application.
Councillor John Mallinson (Houghton and Irthington, Conservative) said it had left them in a 'less than ideal position'.
They were told that, because it was an application from the council, it could be perceived as such by members of the public.
Planning officer Stephen Daniel told members that it would consist of two car parks either side of George Square and it would surround the existing Turkish baths.
Councillor Jimmy Grizdale (Seaton, Labour) proposed that they should grant approval for the development and said: 'This is just an improvement for the city centre.'
The report states: 'The site comprises previously developed land and was formerly occupied by multiple demolished buildings – including the 1970s Pools Building and Staples.
'At present, the site is characterised by car parking, sealed surfaces, a small parcel of biodiversity to the west, a limited number of urban trees, and a small suburban mosaic on developed land.
'It is located directly to the south of Citadel Station and Carlisle City Centre, bordered by Water Street to the north-east and east, James Street to the south and south-west, and the Victoria Viaduct along its western edge.'
According to the report the site lies partly within the City Centre Conservation Area and it states: 'Citadel Station is the largest building in the immediate area, bordering the site to the north.
'Its detached west wall serves as a retaining structure for the station platforms and forms the main façade facing south.'
According to the report a separate application was approved for the redevelopment of Court Square, which lies to the front of the station, to include public realm enhancements, reconfiguration of highway, pedestrianisation of square, improved car park access, and relocation of the Lawson's Monument in February 2025.
The report adds: 'The overall proposals for the station consist of two primary areas which can be defined as, Court Square which focuses on pedestrianisation and public realm remodelling, and the Southern Gateway (the subject of this application), which focuses on the development of a new station entrance and car park to the south.
'The station building would be flipped from its current layout, with most vehicle traffic being diverted toward the new Southern Gateway.
'Current retail units at George Square would be demolished to make way for a new car park and a separate permission will be required for demolition.
'The existing station car park would be retained for staff and those with disabilities and would see a substantial reduction in vehicle traffic.'