CARLISLE's DPD Centre could create more jobs as the deilvery distribution industry continues to thrive in North Cumbria. 

Plans have been submitted to Cumberland Council for an exchange hub to the north of Carlisle.

The planning application is for land between Kingmoor Park Central and North, Dukes Drive, Kingmoor Park North.

The hub is for the distribution sector, and it would include a service yard, HGV parking, ancillary office space, ancillary car parking, associated infrastructure, engineering and landscaping.

Neil McIntyre, from Kingmoor Park Properties, has applied to the council for permission to demolish existing buildings and develop the site which covers an area of 102,194 square metres.

According to a design and access statement, which was submitted in support of the application the new unit would create space for DPD to expand and bring more jobs to the area, which would benefit local people and contribute to the economic growth of the area.

The report states: "This application site lies in the Kingmoor Park Enterprise Zone and is located within the south west corner of Kingmoor Park North.

"It has been allocated for employment uses within the Carlisle Local Plan since 2016. The site is currently in agricultural use.

"Kingmoor Park is located close to junction 44 of the M6 in Carlisle and is one of the largest industrial estates in the north west and the only enterprise zone in Cumbria.

"Since the site was bought in 1999, Kingmoor Park Properties has invested millions of pounds into transforming the site into a vibrant, economic hub of activity and opportunity."

According to the report the business park is home to a number of large local employers including Edinburgh Woollen Mill, and has delivered significant benefits to the area including thousands of full-time jobs.

The report adds: "Kingmoor Park Properties are committed to the creation of new and varied employment opportunities by delivering a high-quality employment development in a highly sustainable location together with a range of other added benefits will be supported by key stakeholders."

News and Star: DPD Carlisle DPD Carlisle (Image: Newsquest)

According to the report the hub is intended to compliment the DPD distribution centre which is currently under construction on the neighbouring plot and it adds: "The hub facility will allow DPD greater connectivity across the north of England and into Scotland strengthening the economic viability of the development.

"The development site is a greenfield site and the scheme will echo the existing building class uses within the surrounding context.

"The submitted scheme is of a high quality designed to offer modern facilities for a variety of occupiers.

"The proposed exchange hub facility will function well in this location and its location is well placed for access by road and other means of transport.

"It is envisaged that the scheme will be constructed to exceed current industry standards, be considered as an exemplar to further development of the site’s wider masterplan."

It is considered that the submitted plans set a high standard of layout which is sympathetic to the character and amenity of surrounding land uses in terms of scale, size, density and height according to the report.

The report adds: "The constraints on site have been carefully considered, thus the current layout and masterplan have been deemed the most appropriate solution to unlocking the development potential of the site.

"The layout in this application makes an efficient use of the site area, without creating an overly dense layout, and allows for safe manoeuvrability within the site for both vehicles and pedestrians, as demonstrated within the transport statement."

Dedicated staff and visitor parking has space for a total of 40 vehicles including two dedicated disabled spaces, with the provision for electrical vehicle charging points for four electric vehicles together with a minimum four secure covered cycle and two motorcycle parking spaces at the site.