Future developments
The University of Cumbria’s aim of holistically serving the higher education needs of
the county underpins a host of potential future developments on the ground.
A £60 million estate strategy would see the construction Already working in collaboration to establish new
of a new £70 million riverside campus in Carlisle and educational facilities at Lillyhall, the University of Cumbria,
other developments at Ambleside, Barrow, Carlisle, Lakes College, Energus, the Nuclear Decommissioning
Lancaster and Newton Rigg. The university is working with Authority (NDA) and Lancaster University are now aiming
Carlisle City Council and local stakeholders to develop to establish an integrated campus of major institutions
the proposal which could see up to £70m investment in and facilities based in and around Lillyhall. It is anticipated
the local area. The new campus would be situated on the that there will be an additional 2000 learners at Britain’s
Caldew Riverside regeneration area adjacent to the main Energy Coast
™
campus by 206.
railway station, act as the new headquarters and include
the majority of academic activity for the city. Students A green ‘tsar’ will spearhead a host of campus-wide
would benefit from a new vibrant Students’ Union facility, environmental initiatives in the twenty-first century.
and a riverside walk leading to playing fields, parks and Environmental Sustainability Co-ordinator, Garry Sharples,
Devonshire Walk car park. will have influence across a whole range of the university’s
activities including procurement of goods and services,
Vice Chancellor Professor Chris Carr said: “We are now energy and water use, biodiversity, travel, waste and
embarked on the journey from being a collection of recycling’ research and curriculum and construction
legacy institutions to a respected and high-performing and design. Reducing the university’s massive £2 million
county university with national and international reach. utilities bill and consequently cutting its carbon footprint
The student experience is paramount and we want to is a priority. Moving the university’s campuses towards a
ensure that any developments and investment we make point where they are carbon neutral and are powered by
meet the needs of our current and future students. These sustainable energy is another aim. The university’s Newton
plans are at a very early stage in development and a lot Rigg campus at Penrith is already growing oil crops to
of work still needs to be done. Undoubtedly we face make its fleet vehicles self-sufficient and is looking to
some challenges ahead but this is an exciting time for building a biomass plant to power the entire site. Over
us, the city and the county. All the developments which the longer-term Garry supports the university’s aim of
have been considered are designed to ensure we develop developing its scientific research into areas of sustainable
our curriculum to meet the needs of our students, energy, complementing its existing expertise in land use
local employers and targeted industry sectors. They and conservation.
encompass our commitment to widening participation
and engagement with employers through our enterprise
activity and provide the very best IT and learning
technology facilities for our students in the future.”
Councillor Ray Bloxham, Deputy Leader of Carlisle City
Council, added: “The proposals are a huge step forward
for the regeneration of Carlisle city centre and provide an
exciting opportunity for the city council, the university, the
local economy and the future development of education
opportunities in Carlisle. We are committed to moving
Carlisle on as a Learning City and the Caldew Riverside
option provides opportunities for further regeneration in
areas of the west of the city and allows for the riverside
to be opened up and utilised to its best potential. We
are pleased to be working with the university and look
forward to moving this development on for the benefit of
local communities and the area as a whole. This is what
Carlisle Renaissance is all about.” “ From my interview I knew this would be
MY university... I felt like I fitted in”
2
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26