AN AMBITIOUS project to bring 10,325 homes south of Carlisle over the next 30 years is "on target" and has piqued the interest of international business giants.

The St Cuthbert’s Garden Village project is designed to address housing need in Carlisle as the north of the city sees unprecedented growth and nearby towns and villages are “reaching capacity.”

Carlisle City Council is leading on the project in collaboration with Cumbria County Council and as well as creating a sustainable new community, it is expected to unlock the delivery of a new link road and new employment opportunities.

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The city council’s economic development boss Jane Meek attended a meeting of the Place Panel on Thursday to provide an update on the project.

Councillors heard that the city council is currently considering how to deliver the project, be it with a development corporation or putting it in the hands of a master-developer.

Ms Meek said: “When you look at garden villages across the country, every garden village is different and every authority has approached it differently.”

Cornwall Council took the view that they wanted to take complete control.

“That takes a lot of money to be able to do that but they feel that’s the way to move forward with their garden village.”

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Ms Meek said that she sees Carlisle’s garden village as a “genuine partnership between the public and private sector” with the authority using powers to make it happen and the private sector delivering the homes.

Cllr Mike Mitchelson asked if there is “a great interest from local private sector.”

Ms Meek said: “The type of master-developer we’re talking about is a lot bigger than the companies we have in Cumbria.”

Ms Meek said she has spoken to a number of the international business giants about collaborating with the city on St Cuthbert's Garden Village.

Work is on-target with a business case set to be submitted to Central Government by 2023.

Councillors were supportive of the project and the economic benefits it could bring.

Cllr Anne Glendinning said: “I’m extremely pleased at the amount of work and effort and determination and commitment from staff that’s gone into this.

“And the amount of money that the council and the staff have managed to bid for and be giving, it shows a lot of faith and the award they won, I can’t praise them enough.”

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