Cumberland Council's Executive has given their support for a new delivery model that will support 10,000 new homes, new schools and employment sites being built in Carlisle.
St Cuthbert's Garden Village is one of the largest projects of its kind nationally and the largest in the north of England. The scale and location will provide a genuine opportunity to make a difference - in a well-planned and coherent way.
A draft Local Plan is in place for the site located in the south of Carlisle and will be subject to a Government Examination later this year led by an independent Planning Inspector.
The plan spans the next 30 to 40 years and the development area also includes commercial, retail and employment space as well as five new primary schools and a secondary school.
Cllr Bob Kelly, Executive Member for Policy and Regulatory Services, said:
"Delivery of St Cuthbert's Garden Village relies upon three overlapping projects: completion of the Carlisle Southern Link Road, adoption of the Local Plan and the establishment of a special purpose delivery vehicle.
"Given its scale and complexity, St Cuthbert's Garden Village isn't something that can be delivered over night. We have worked hard with our local communities and key stakeholders to get us to this point. By agreeing on how it will be delivered is another stage in the development."
Supported by MHCLG and Homes England, the council went through a comprehensive review and shortlisted two delivery vehicles considered to offer the greater potential to support the delivery of St Cuthbert's:
• A public / private joint venture; and
• A locally led new town development corporation.
At the Executive meeting yesterday (Tuesday 17 February), Members agreed with the Locally Led New Town Development Corporation (LLNTDC) would be the best model to support long term and sustainable delivery of the new community. Although the council would still have overarching control, the new corporation will reduce risks to the council and would be funded by Government. It will speed up delivery of the development and support infrastructure planning and land assembly. A business case for this proposal is now undergoing development for the further consideration of the Executive Committee later in the year.
The formal approval by the Secretary of State and a subsequent act of Parliament is required to establish a LLNTDC for St Cuthbert's - which could be operational by summer 2027.
For more information about St Cuthbert's Garden Village visit www.stcuthbertsgv.co.uk