Former councillor's reaction to plans to remove Lanes canopy

Carlisle Shopping Centre Ltd has applied for planning permission to remove the fixture from The Lanes Shopping Centre in the city.

It is above the southern entrance in Lowther Street and the reason given for its removal is that will improve visibility into centre where there are vacant units, there are expensive ongoing maintenance costs and it is considered dated and unattractive.

However Elsie Martlew, the former deputy leader of Carlisle City Council who now describes herself as a local community activist, has written to the local planning authority strongly objecting to the proposal and requesting that it be refused.

The canopy on the Lowther Street entrance (Image: Ian Duncan/LDR Service)

She said that some of the statements in the planning application "beggar belief" and added: “In the heritage statement it says ‘the removal of the canopy will improve the appearance of the shopping centre when viewed from the Carlisle City Conservation Area'.

"I totally disagree. The overarching nature of the canopy is significant and impressive, but it does need some maintenance and cleaning up.”

An external view of the canopy (Image: Ian Duncan/LDR Service)

She said she felt the proposed demolition could be viewed as a “cost cutting exercise” and added: “Let’s stop this vandalism.”

However, according to the applicant's heritage statement, the removal would improve the appearance of the shopping centre when viewed from the city's conservation area and the exposed elevations will be "made good" after the canopy is demolished.

A plan of the canopy they seek to remove (Image: The Lanes) (Image: The Lanes)

The report states: "This is not least because the proposal entails the removal of a structure that to all intents and purposes is highly dated in appearance and detracts from the overall attractiveness of the conservation area.

"In this regard, it is considered that the proposal will make a positive contribution to the conservation area and will cause no actual harm to its significance, revealing instead an existing elevation which is more sympathetic to its character and appearance.

The underside of the canopy (Image: Ian Duncan/LDR Service)

"It will not have an unacceptable impact on historic street patterns/boundaries, roofscape, skyline and setting of the conservation area or significant into, out of and within the area."

According to a covering letter, the applicant has been advised that canopy can be safely dismantled with due regard to relevant and prevailing health and safety regulations.

An external view of the canopy (Image: Ian Duncan/LDR Service)

The letter states: "It will also be coordinated to ensure minimum disruption and to ensure the safety of those visiting the centre. The glazed walkway to the rear of the application site (which is less visible from the Carlisle City Conservation Area) is to be retained for the comfort of shoppers.

"Access to the shopping centre once the canopy is removed will be as per existing arrangements; the proposal will also improve visibility into the shopping centre, thereby enhancing the commercial attractiveness of the Class E retail units in this location (with knock-on positive effects on the city centre’s vitality and viability)."