Four villages near Carlisle could expand under a vision being drawn up to transform the southern edge of Carlisle over the next 25 years.

A green belt linking Cummersdale, Durdar, Brisco and Carleton also features in ideas released today by the team leading the design of St Cuthbert's Garden Village.

This north Cumbrian masterplan will be the largest of the 14 huge new developments planned across the country being supported by the Government.

But early moves suggest it will consist of "several settlements" rather than one urban-style sprawl.

The latest proposals setting out how the area between the A595 in the west of the city to junction 42 of the M6 could look go out to public consultation today.

The ambitious long-term Garden Village plans could see up to 10,000 new homes built; associated infrastructure including new shops, community facilities and schools; as well as opportunities for business and economic growth.

Designers have taken public opinion on board following an initial consultation in the spring.

Councillor Colin Glover, leader of Carlisle City Council, said: "St Cuthbert’s Garden Village will be a distinctive, high quality development that responds to Carlisle’s housing, economic and infrastructure needs.

"It is the largest garden village proposal in the UK and provides a platform for growth and future investment in Carlisle.

"Masterplanning for the Garden Village is progressing well and has reached a key draft stage.

"We are a listening council and have taken on board the comments from the spring consultation.

"This includes having several settlements rather than one single settlement.

"Our consultation on the draft concept proposals and vision provides another opportunity to give your views and help genuinely shape Carlisle’s future."

Events are going to be held over the next two months at Carlisle Racecourse and in the city centre to give people new chances to have their say on the latest ideas.

Garry Legg, investment and policy manager at the city council, said: "A greenway could be the heart of this new land; a green link knitting the existing settlements together as well as the new ones.

"It could include walkways, cycleways, allotments. People have told us that they want sustainable transport links and green areas."

He added: "We've got good momentum building and we're looking forward to the public getting involved once again.

"There were a lot of people who came along last time who were disappointed there was not this level of detail to look at and discuss.

"There is still lots of scope to inform and shape where we go from here."
Mr Legg also revealed that a heritage assessment is currently being carried out in Brisco as part of the Garden Village drive.

Pupils at the oversubscribed Stoneraise School at Durdar, which sits in the proposed area, have been taking part in the masterplanning project.

Headteacher Clem Coady said: "It is key that future generations are included in shaping this process of change.

"Stoneraise School will be impacted by the development of St Cuthbert's Village project.

"It is therefore vital that we contribute our views on this to help shape our future.

"Pupils have a strong voice and can articulate the positive and negative aspects of local geography.

"It was welcoming to see that some of their key concerns to the environment, such as pollution and traffic and to the impact on local wildlife, were taken seriously during the consultation process, as well how would local facilities such as parks, green spaces, shops and cycle routes be incorporated into the village."
He added: "While we recognise that there is a long way to go and people have many differing views, it was good to illustrate to our pupils democracy isn’t just about big elections, it is about local issues too."

This latest phase of consultation comes a week after Cumbria County Council revealed its preferred route for a new £150m Southern Link Road.

The 8km route - hailed as the key to unlocking huge house building and investment in the area - would go from Peter Lane, through farmland over the Cumbrian coastal railway line to the south of Durdar and over the West Coast Mainline to the motorway.

A business case is now being drawn up for Government ministers.

The St Cuthbert's Garden Village concept and vision has been compiled by a team of consultants led by Gillespies and including Hemingway Design, Lambert Smith Hampton and WYG.

Public consultation drop-in events will be held on the following dates:

* Wednesday 11 July : 10am - 9pm, Carlisle Racecourse (Lawn Suite), Durdar Road, Carlisle.

* Tuesday 24 July : 10am - 9pm, Carlisle Racecourse (Lawn Suite) Durdar Road, Carlisle.

* Friday 3 August : 10am - 5pm, ground floor retail unit below the Tourist Information Centre,

Carlisle city centre (opposite corner to Costa Coffee).

* Saturday 4 August : 10am - 5pm, ground floor retail unit below the Tourist Information Centre,

Carlisle city centre (opposite corner to Costa Coffee).

To take part in the consultation on St Cuthbert’s Garden Village, visit www.stcuthbertsgv.co.uk or email your comments to stcuthbertsgv@carlisle.gov.uk