AS plans go forward to develop St Cuthbert's Garden Village in Carlisle, three finalists have been selected in a competition.

The winner will be given the opportunity to design a new Greenway and Park which will form the centrepiece of the development.

The three finalists, selected out of thirteen entrants, are: Gillespies, AFL Architects and BMD and JTP.

Councillor Paul Nedved, portfolio holder for Economy, Enterprise and Housing said: "The landscape competition has been a great success and we were really impressed with the high calibre of professional submissions.

"We are now giving the public an opportunity to have their say on the three shortlisted finalist’s designs at an event this month at Carlisle Racecourse."

The project is one of the largest of its kind nationally, and those involved have said it provides a real opportunity to make a difference to the area.

It is said that it will offer a unique destination to visitors and the 'Greenway' will be a great selling point for the community.

It will also provide a new place for walking and cycling infrastructure within Carlisle, encouraging active travel.

There will be improved transport from the area to the city centre, such as railway station improvements and new university campus and business space at the Citadels and Caldew Riverside.

A spokesperson from the Landscape Institute added: "We are delighted to work with the Carlisle City Council and United Utilities on the St Cuthbert’s Garden Village “Start with the Park” competition and were really impressed by the quality of the professional entries.

"Thank you to all those who took time to participate. Looking forward to exciting Stage 2 projects."

Carlisle City Council partnered with The Landscape Institute, and United Utilities as main sponsors, to deliver the competition, which launched on Monday July 12 2021.

The competition was open to both professionals and students across a range of disciplines.

Each of the three entrants in the professional competition who have progressed to Stage 2 will be awarded an honorarium of £5,000. The overall winner will receive £10,000.