The transformation of the southern Carlisle area is to be considered by the city's council leadership, as the deadline approaches for the public to have a say on the ambitious plans.

Carlisle City Council's executive is set to discuss on Monday the detailed masterplan for the development of St Cuthbert's Garden Village - a colossal project that would see an estimated 10,325 homes built on the southern edge of Carlisle, and the Durdar, Carleton and Cummersdale areas.

The masterplan, which at nearly 200 pages contains a detailed breakdown of the project's ambitions, is still subject to a public consultation, though the deadline for residents to contribute, December 22, is fast approaching.

Plans for the garden village detail aims to create schools, health services, public facilities such as libraries, and shops in addition to the thousands of homes.

The majority of the homes themselves are to be built in the Durdar area, the masterplan explains.

An approximate total of 7,150 are to be built there, alongside a further 1,700 in the Carleton area, 975 in the Cummersdale area and 500 on the southern edge of Carlisle.

As the focal point of the planned garden village, Durdar will also see the addition of the vast majority of the planned commercial space to be built as part of the overall design.

Roughly 44,000 square metres of planned commercial space out of a total 46,000 square metres would be constructed in the Durdar area, with the rest spread across the Carleton and Cummersdale areas.

As a garden village, the St Cuthbert's plans have a particular focus on making good use of open space, and as such the masterplan provides for the creation of playing pitches, natural and semi-natural spaces, allotments, parks, gardens, and play areas.

The city council's executive is to consider on Monday endorsing the details of the masterplan.

A report prepared for the council leaders by the city council's corporate director of economic development, Jane Meek, explains that the garden village aims to deliver "high quality homes and jobs needed in the area over the long term", adding that the garden village "will have a significant influence in terms of shaping how Carlisle will grow and function long into the future".

The report adds that the plans identify Durdar as the main "'‘district centre’ and

public transport hub for local communities".

"Facilities would be clustered around a neighbourhood square with a secondary and primary school, shops, health and community facilities which would also provide the focus for new employment," Ms Meek wrote.

Under the plans, Cummersdale is to "retain its rural character with lower housing densities", and is to benefit from a "green buffer" between the southern edge of the existing village and the planned new development, to preserve views looking eastwards.

"New shared facilities, including a primary school, local shops, health facilities and

amenities would also provide an additional focal point," the report adds.

A new shared local centre would also be created in Carleton, including a primary school, local shops, health and community facilities.

"This local centre with open greenspaces at its core, would be accessible and visible from multiple viewpoints.

"Green corridors would preserve distant views."

The three villages will be linked via "The Greenway", comprising of a multi-use area of up to 100m in width and providing a further link into Carlisle.

It is planned to be a "planted, car free space and incorporate sports pitches, play areas, resting points and event spaces".

Plans also contain provision for the restoration and enhancement of 93 hectares of wildlife habitat in the area, and the potential creation of 94 hectares of wildlife habitat, including woodland, grassland and reedbed.