By Julian Whittle

Last updated at 13:11, Friday, 07 November 2008

Carlisle City Council has refused to rule out plans to redevelop Rickergate, even though residents say uncertainty over its future prevents them selling their homes.

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The new Carlisle Renaissance board has dropped a scheme that would have bulldozed much of the area to make way for a plaza with shops, offices and a hotel.

But city council leader Mike Mitchelson hinted the plans could be revived.

That prompted Warwick Street resident Simon Osman to table a question when the council met on Tuesday.

He asked: “Now that Renaissance plans for Rickergate appear to have been shelved, what action is the city council going to take to remove the planning and moral blight that still hangs over homeowners in the area? Blight which this council has caused.”

He added: “I had my property valued by [estate agents] H&H King who say the area is still blighted.

“The uncertainty is preventing people from moving on in their lives if they so wish.”

Mr Mitchelson stood by his previously-stated position.

He replied: “The city council has not caused any blight on Rickergate. The area has been identified as one of the main areas for regeneration.

“We have looked in some detail at its potential and we will be preparing a planning brief for the area.

“As far as the Renaissance board is concerned, Rickergate isn’t a priority for action but as far as the council is concerned we are committed and have to prepare a planning brief within the life of the Carlisle local plan.”

Proposals for Rickergate have been some of the most controversial tabled by those behind Carlisle Renaissance.

Residents quickly rallied against them and formed the Save Our Streets group, fighting for homes and businesses.

Renaissance board chairman Bryan Gray’s announcement in September that the Rickergate scheme was not being pursued was seen as a boost to campaigners, but was followed by uncertainty after it was hinted they could be brought forward again.

After its September meeting, the board stated it planned to ask Tesco to scrap plans for a new supermarket on Viaduct Estate so land could be released to the University of Cumbria for a £70m campus.

Its four priorities are the new campus, the city’s historic core, new sites for business near the M6 and the city-centre economy.

First published at 05:12, Friday, 07 November 2008
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk