A MAJOR project to create a new garden village has been given a funding boost from the Government.

The scheme to build St Cuthbert's Garden Village, located on the southern edge of Carlisle, has been awarded an extra £320,000 for the development.

The news of Carlisle City Council’s successful bid for another round of capacity funding for the garden village was announced by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Council officials say the creation of garden communities to the south of the city will enable Carlisle to continue to grow in a planned way across the coming decades.

The proposals include the development of up to 10,000 new homes, new employment opportunities, community facilities and the creation of Carlisle's long-awaited southern link road.

Leader of Carlisle City Council, councillor John Mallinson, said: “St Cuthbert’s is an ambitious and unique housing and economic development scheme for Carlisle.

“The capacity funding will help fund dedicated staff, studies and assessments that are vital to the delivery of a successful masterplan.

“There will be further opportunities for the public and landowners to get involved and help shape the future of the area.

“Public engagement is key to the development of our Garden Communities.”

A masterplan for the development is being drawn together, following a number of design options that went before the public in a consultation in September last year.

The council added that further public events will take place later this year.

Councillor Paul Nedved, the portfolio holder for Economy, Enterprise and Housing added: “St Cuthbert’s will deliver high-quality, thriving new communities that will transform Carlisle.

“It will meet the need for long-term sustainable housing growth and help shape the future for the area. 

“The creation of Garden Communities to the south of the city will enable Carlisle to continue to grow in a planned way across the coming decades.

“It will make the most of opportunities to build innovative, mixed-use, self-sufficient communities equally well-connected to each other and the city.

“It is an ambitious proposal that could include the development of up to 10,000 new homes, new employment opportunities, community facilities and the Carlisle Southern Link Road.”

Originally known as Carlisle South, the planned development was included in the Government’s garden villages, towns and cities programme in January 2017.