Cumberland Council has officially approved a consultation on a new draft development plan that will see the construction of 10,000 new homes, along with new schools and employment sites, in Carlisle.

The St Cuthbert's Garden Village project is set to become one of the largest of its kind in the UK and the largest in the North of England. Its ambitious scale and prime location offer a unique opportunity for a well-planned, cohesive development that aims to make a significant difference to the area.

Following the council’s approval on Tuesday, 4 March, the draft Local Plan for St Cuthbert’s Garden Village, situated in the southern part of Carlisle, will go out for its final public consultation later this month.

The plan, which spans the next 30 to 40 years, covers a wide range of developments, including commercial, retail, and employment spaces. It also includes the construction of five new primary schools and a secondary school.


The public consultation will run from Monday, 17 March to Tuesday, 6 May 2025, and will focus on the draft policies and map. This will be the final opportunity for the public to provide feedback before the plan is submitted to an independent inspector.

Public consultation events will be held at the following locations:

• Tuesday, 18 March: 10am - 8pm, Cummersdale Village Hall

• Wednesday, 19 March: 10am - 8pm, Carlisle Racecourse

• Thursday, 20 March: 10am - 8pm, Creighton Rugby Club

Cllr Bob Kelly, Executive Member for Policy and Regulatory Services, commented: "Given its scale and complexity, St Cuthbert's Garden Village isn’t something that can be delivered overnight. However, delivering the Carlisle Southern Link Road to unlock St Cuthbert's was the first major stepping stone, and we are now well on the way with its construction.

"The next major milestone will be publishing the Local Plan to coordinate the delivery of homes with the much-needed infrastructure.

"We have worked hard with our local communities and key stakeholders to get us to this point, and by getting this Plan out to consultation, it shows how we’ve built in what they expect to see from St Cuthbert's.

"Now that it has been approved at Council, the consultation, starting later this month, will be an opportunity for anyone with an interest to tell us whether or not we have got it right before it goes onto Government later in the year to be assessed by an independent Planning Inspector."