EAGERLY anticipated plans to transform the Carlisle Undercroft into an arts and performance venue have been given the green light by council planners.

An application was submitted to Carlisle City Council in November, with permission granted last week to develop the undercroft, which is tucked under platform one at the train station.

It came as a late Christmas present for the pair behind the project, Kimberley Watkin and Adam Hughes.

Kimberley, who works for Virgin Trains in the city, said she learned of the application’s success first thing in the morning, the day after Boxing Day.

“I don’t think I was awake when it came through,” she admitted.

“I got an email from my architect Rod Hughes, he said ‘I hope you had a lovely Christmas, this is my Christmas present to you’.

“It dawned on me more as the day went on and I thought ‘this is amazing’.”

The next step in the process is to secure the rest of the funding, to help move the project forward again.

“It has been such an emotional journey from finding the space, to creating the idea, to getting the team together to make it a reality, to being invited to the Royal Wedding - which was another whirlwind,” Kimberley recalled.

“I have learnt so much, you wouldn’t believe. The support from Virgin Trains has been fantastic also.”

She continued: “It is wonderful, we have been working so hard to get the money in place.

“The application came after that. We had to do it in a different order.

“It is great because we are one step closer to moving forward with our plans. It now feels more of a reality.”

The facility will be used for a whole host of activities and events.

“It will be a multi-purpose venue for the local community,” Kimberley said. “Any events that haven’t got a space can use it.

“It can be used for concerts, performing arts, weddings, the possibilities are endless.

“It will be an accessible, affordable space for the local community. I don’t think there are enough of these in the local area.”

It has been a long journey, as Kimberley admits they began looking at funding applications in November 2016, before getting the first funding in April the following year.