PLANNING permission has been granted for the University of Cumbria’s new flagship Carlisle Citadels campus project.

The campus will include the retention of the two Grade I listed Citadel rotundas on the site, along with other historic and heritage features.

Plans for the new campus include the creation of publicly accessible amenity spaces, and facilities such as a multi-purpose 200-seater lecture theatre, café, exhibition space, and the Carlisle Business Exchange, offering flexible co-working space for businesses.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Julie Mennell, said: “We are delighted that our planning application has been successful, and we can now realise our ambition to develop a new university campus in the heart of the city.

DAY ArchitectsAn artist’s impression of the Citadel campus view from English Street, Carlisle

“A truly transformational project, the new Citadels campus will increase the accessibility, reach, and impact of our academic offer, including the proposed joint medical school in partnership with Imperial College London.

“The central location of the state-of-the-art campus will also add vibrancy to the city centre, increasing activity, footfall, and investment, and support our region’s post-Covid recovery.”

Site preparation work will begin later this year, including archaeological investigations and other survey work. Construction work is due to begin in the first half of 2023, and completion is forecast for spring 2026.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is providing £50 million of the total funding for the project. The university currently has five campus sites, including those in Ambleside, London, and Lancaster.