PLANS to demolish part of Carlisle Civic Centre look set to get the go-ahead this week.

Carlisle City Council wants to flatten the smaller rotunda building, which is attached to the main 11-storey tower, in Rickergate - but the Civic Trust has objected.

The council wants to create a new entrance and extend the car park, creating 40 more spaces.

The plans have been drawn up after the landmark Civic Centre building was badly damaged during the 2015 floods.

The ground floor of the building has been out of use ever since, with a temporary buildings used to provide additional space.

The council, which is based in the building, decided not to repair it like-for-like and instead came up with a longer-term vision for its offices.

The Civic Centre opened in 1964. The attached rotunda houses the main council chamber, used for full council meetings.

But the council says its fixed circular seating arrangement does not allow for conferences or other events. It adds that the structure isn’t energy efficient or fit for modern-day purpose, and the acoustics are poor.

Instead it wants to create a new multi-functional civic suite within the main building.

The plans are due to go in front of the council’s own development control panel tomorrow. fri

Planning officers have recommended both the demolition and alterations be approved, but there have been some objections.

Councillors on the panel will have the final say.

The main objection comes from Carlisle & District Civic Trust, on the grounds of the building’s importance to local heritage.

It stresses that the building design was ‘commended’ in the 1966 National Civic Trust Awards.

It also refers to previous proposals to demolish the building, which prompted many to come forward in defence of its architectural importance.

It said: “It is doubtful that public opinion will have changed greatly in the last five years.

“The trust is opposed to the partial demolition of the Civic Centre complex. Its significance as a non-designated heritage asset is far higher with the retention of the design’s original concept.

“A building concept is of great importance and the loss of the rotunda would be significant.

“We are not convinced by the flooding justification. As originally built, the rotunda was elevated off the ground on stilts.

Conservative councillor James Bainbridge has also objected, questioning whether the rotunda could insread be rented out.