By Julian Whittle Political editor

Published at 11:19, Wednesday, 27 February 2008

SAVE Our Streets campaigners are stepping up pressure on Carlisle City Council ahead of the publication of public inquiry findings next month.

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The group is opposed to plans to demolish homes in the Rickergate area as part of Carlisle Renaissance.

Four members have tabled questions critical of Renaissance under the council’s public participation procedure.

They will be put to council leader Mike Mitchelson when the council meets on Tuesday.

Simon Osman, whose home in Warwick Street is under threat, is asking if places on the new Renaissance management board will be open to all or be “jobs for the boys”.

Julie Templeton asks how the council can take on new staff for Renaissance when posts elsewhere are being left empty to save money.

Elizabeth Allnutt asks how the Renaissance board can be called to account if it “mismanages” public funds.

And Neil Irving wants to know why Save Our Streets was not invited to join councillors viewing regeneration schemes in Glasgow.

Meanwhile, council chiefs are studying a draft copy of the findings of the public inquiry into the Carlisle local plan, which should be published next month.

These findings could scupper Renaissance proposals for Rickergate involving demolition of existing buildings to make way for a new square, shops, offices and a hotel.

The chairman of the inquiry, Patrick Whitehead, appeared sympathetic to campaigners when they put their case last summer.

His report may recommend that Corporation Road and Peter Street are removed from a proposed “regeneration area” so lifting any threat that homes might be bulldozed.

Whatever the inquiry decides, English Heritage could also halt the Rickergate scheme by listing demolition-threatened buildings.

It is considering applications to list the Civic Centre, Adriano’s restaurant, the former police station, the fire station, magistrates court and homes in Warwick Street.

JWhittle@cngroup.co.uk

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk