Staples marked for demolition in Carlisle station redevelopment

PLANS for a major redevelopment of Carlisle Station take another step forward, plans have been submitted to demolish a nearby building to facilitate its expansion.

As the planning authority, Carlisle City Council has received a planning application from Cumbria County Council requesting the demolition of the old Staples Building.

If the application is approved by the City Council’s planning committee, the former Staples unit on Station Business Park will be demolished to create a new car park, facilitating the station’s £20million redevelopment.

The money for the Carlisle Station Gateway project was allocated under the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal.

A work plan document submitted to the city council reveals that Eric Wright Civil Engineering is the prime contractor.

Demolition plans submitted to City Council

In conjunction with Electricity North West, the contractor will set up demolition exclusion zones around the area, installing protective works around the northwest corner and others as required.

Access to the site will be via James Street, but the plan reads: “Other businesses operate along this road, including the Matalan store next door, all of which will require continuous access.”

“Bradley Demolition Ltd will monitor noise levels during the works. It is recognized that noise cannot be entirely eliminated, but reasonable measures will be taken to reduce the adverse effects of noise generated by the works on both local residents and occupants.

Leaders say Carlisle is entering an “exciting” time in its history as plans are also underway to redevelop the Grade I listed citadel buildings into a state-of-the-art campus for the University of Cumbria.

News and Star: Station Manager Matthew Byrne, MP for Carlisle John Stevenson and Avanti's Matthew WormandStation Manager Matthew Byrne, MP for Carlisle John Stevenson and Matthew Wormand of Avanti

Carlisle MP John Stevenson said the redevelopment of the station will be positive “for the region if not for the South West of Scotland as well.

“Regeneration is part of the Borderlands Growth Initiative, it’s extremely welcome. The infrastructure is part of the regeneration of the area.

“It’s very exciting as this will be the station’s first refurbishment for many years and the station is in dire need of an upgrade.”

The redevelopment has been secured through joint work between Cumbria County Council, Carlisle City Council, Network Rail and Avanti.

Mr Stevenson said: ‘It’s been extremely collegial and it’s a really big investment in the city.

“For the first time in almost decades, there is a huge amount of investment in the city.”

Cumbria County Council Leader Stewart Young said: “Carlisle Station Gateway is an ambitious £20 million Borderlands scheme, and the demolition of the old Staples building is a major milestone – and I am delighted to see progress, as tangible proof of this transformation project for our region.”

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