Last updated 08:19, Friday, 12 September 2008

Save Our Streets campaigners in Carlisle are jubilant after it was confirmed this week that plans to bulldoze much of Rickergate have been dropped.

The controversial Renaissance scheme would have demolished the Civic Centre, the police and fire stations, magistrates’ court, Adriano’s restaurant and private homes in Warwick Street. In their place would have been a plaza with shops, flats, offices and possibly a four-star hotel.

Bryan Gray, chairman of the new private sector-led Carlisle Renaissance board, had previously expressed grave doubts about the development. Speaking after the board met on Monday, he went further and ruled it out completely.

Mr Gray said: “It is not being pursued. That is not to say someone won’t come forward with ideas [for Rickergate] that might be considered but it is not our role to push something that has no particular drive.”

Renaissance director Ian McNichol relayed the news in a letter to Save Our Streets, which has consistently campaigned against the scheme. City council leader Mike Mitchelson told councillors on Tuesday night.

He said: “No work is currently being undertaken on a development brief [for Rickergate] and we are not planning to acquire further property [there] at this time.”

Elizabeth Allnutt, secretary of Save Our Streets, was delighted by the decision. She said: “Our homes, businesses and community would appear to be safe at last. The group has fought hard and persistently on many fronts since October 2006.”

But she said there were still questions that needed answers, such as what would happen to the money provided by the Northwest Development Agency to buy up property;what will the council do with property it has already bought, such as Adriano’s Restaurant, and what will become of the fire and police stations and magistrates court.

Ms Allnutt added: “Why did this battle have to be fought at all? The original consultation process and every consultation after has been a sham and a public relations exercise only.”

Mr Gray also confirmed this week that Tesco is being asked to scrap its plan for a supermarket in Viaduct Estate.

The Renaissance board wants Tesco to go elsewhere so that its land can be released to the University of Cumbria.

The university aims to build a £70m riverside campus in Viaduct Estate next to Tesco’s proposed 40,000sq ft store. Mr Gray says the university will need more room to expand and Tesco could provide it.

“The university is the single most important investment in Carlisle for a generation or more,” he said. “To shoehorn it into a small site is not appropriate. We are very keen to see if we can work with Tesco to release that part of the site.”

Work on the new Tesco was due to start last month but has been delayed. Tesco may now be offered a land swap, allowing it to build on another site in Carlisle in return for giving up its plot in Viaduct Estate.

The city council says talks with Tesco are taking place and the chain has indicated that it may be receptive to an approach.

Corporate affairs manager Douglas Wilson said: “We are still committed to the Viaduct Estate site but, if the Renaissance board want to talk to us, we are more than willing to listen and help Carlisle City Council wherever we can.”

Following the U-turn on Rickergate, Renaissance will now concentrate on four priorities – the university, the historic core, new sites for business near the M6 and boosting the city-centre economy.

Ideas include appointing a city centre manager and drawing up a plan for the cathedral, castle, Hadrian’s Wall and Tullie House museum.

Mr Gray said: “Each site is important in its own right but put the four together and you have a unique set of historic assets.”