Thanks to those who had their say

(Date of issue: Thursday, 2 July 2009)

Carlisle City Council and partners would like to thank local residents who took up the chance to have their say on plans for a new community resource centre in Caldewgate, Carlisle.

Comments received at a consultation event at the Caldew Room (part of the Old Brewery building on Bridge Street) last month and at the Civic Centre, have already resulted in the plans being modified. Additional car parking spaces will be incorporated into the final design following residents’ feedback.

Additional comments involving the design of the building will also looked into and discussions will soon take place with the scheme’s appointed architect.

The deadline for comments was last Friday (26 June) and architectural drawings of the new building continue to be on display in the Civic Centre, at Johnston & Wright Architects (15 Castle Street) and John Street Hostel (Shaddongate).

All completed questionnaires were put into a free draw. The winner, chosen randomly from those submitted, was John Thomlinson, who will receive a £50 Debenhams voucher.

The new development will be built on land currently used as Shaddongate car park behind John Street Hostel. A multi-agency working group including Carlisle City Council, Cumbria Constabulary, health, housing and advisory services have drawn together some suggested uses for the new Caldewgate community resource and training centre. These would be available for the community’s use as well as residents who require homelessness support:

• Access to health advisory services for local residents;
• Improving and creating links to local groups and services;
• Access to learning and development;
• Support, mentoring and coaching services;
• A furniture and clothing resource centre;
• A community hall and commercial kitchen; and
• A bike project.

The potential for the development of a community cafe has also been put forward as part of the plans.

Part funded by a £1.89million grant from the Government’s Places for Change scheme, the £3million Carlisle City Council scheme will follow an innovative ‘green’ design and will include energy efficient construction methods. Apprenticeships in Construction Skills will be also available during the building of the centre.

Carlisle City Cllr Olwyn Luckley, Portfolio holder for Health and Community Development, said:

“The proposed new facilities are innovative and forward looking, both in their design and the vision of what they can provide. The aim is to address the short and long term needs of homeless people as well as providing a much needed community resource.

"I’d like to thank all those who took the time to give their suggestions on the design and the potential use for the scheme. We’ve already made some modifications based on comments received as part of the recent consultation event and we’ll now work alongside the scheme’s architect to see further suggestions could be incorporated.”

Jane Muller, associate director of public health at NHS Cumbria, said:

"This is a real opportunity to develop services around this new facility which make a difference to people's lives.

"NHS Cumbria will be working with the City Council, partners, service users and the community to develop a range of support and advice services which empower people to take more control over their health."

Chief Superintendent Steve Johnson, North Cumbria's most senior police officer, added:

"Officers from North Cumbria have been working with colleagues in the City Council and this new proposal offers much needed support for the homeless and vulnerable people in and around the city. We look forward to continued work with our partners on this initiative."

The finalised plans will be submitted as a part of a planning application, due to be put forward this autumn. If approved, building work could begin early 2010.