PLANS to demolish the rotunda building of Carlisle’s civic centre have been deferred.

At the meeting of the city council’s development control committee yesterday, an agreement couldn’t be made to accept a proposal to approve the demolition, put forward by councillor Anne Glendinning.

A second proposal to reject the plans by councillor Paul Nedved also failed to get widespread approval.

The decision was then made by councillors to defer it, to allow the plans to be revised. These will then go back before the committee at a later date.

Concerns about parking in the plans were raised by councillor Lisa Brown.

She said: “Outside, there are three family spaces currently, but on the plans, there is no provision for family spaces.

“Can something be done to them back in?”

Mr Nedved added: “This building needs a substantial modification.

“It has served us well, why can it not serve us a bit longer? It is an important building and an important asset to the city.”

The views were shared by councillor Nigel Christian.

He said: “The rotunda is a very prominent feature in the landscape.

“Can’t we do better than this?”

Carlisle city council wanted to flatten the smaller rotunda building, which is attached to the main 11-storey tower, in Rickergate. The council aimed to create a new entrance and extend the car park, creating 40 more spaces.

The plans were drawn up after the landmark Civic Centre building was badly damaged during the 2015 floods. The ground floor of the building has been out of use ever since, with temporary buildings used to provide additional space.

The council, which is based in the building, decided not to repair it like-for-like and instead came up with a longer-term vision for its offices.

Despite the demolition plans being pushed back, councillors granted permission to carry out external and internal alterations and revamp the civic centre.

Plans include construction of a new lobby along the western elevation of the building and an overhaul of the ground floor, plus alterations such as blocking up the existing entrance.

The civic centre opened its doors in 1964 and has been the headquarters of Carlisle city council ever since.