Plans for new public buildings and improved youth and sports facilities in Longtown have moved a step closer.
On 1 September Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet approved recommendations to progress the Longtown Moving Forward project - this included outlining a development strategy based on the ongoing public engagement and subsequent feasibility studies.
The Longtown Moving Forward project aims to deliver fit for purpose public facilities, which will support the delivery of services.
Plans will now be drawn up which will illustrate the facilities that could be provided, subject to planning, funding and all other approvals.
Proposals will include space for a new children’s centre, nursery, parish rooms, council customer contact centre, and an improved library as well as the creation of new changing rooms and a playing field and youth facilities on the parish playing fields.
The project board, a partnership between Cumbria County Council, Carlisle City Council, and Longtown and Arthuret Parish Council, will continue to oversee proposals that will include residential development on the former Lochinvar School site along with an equipped play area and public open space.
The Cabinet also approved the demolition of the former Lochinvar School which expected to commence in October, this will allow for the development of the proposed facilities and will also ensure that the risks and costs associated with holding vacant property of this nature, for which no suitable or sustainable alternative use was proposed, are removed.
Arrangements will be made to ensure that access to the library, children’s centre and nursery, which will all be open as usual, is available while demolition takes place.
Sean Reed is the head of property and asset management for the county council and Longtown Moving Forward’s project director. He said: "This is a long term project, which, subject to planning, funding and all other necessary consents, is intended to delivery tangible improvements to community facilities in Longtown.
"The county council and its partners have shown leadership in developing this project in conjunction with the local community and in deciding to demolish the former Lochinvar School buildings. The Longtown Moving Forward project is about renewal rather than making do with what already exists and represents a real opportunity for the community."
Cllr Gary Strong, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for property, said: "This is great news for Longtown and is a real step forward for partnership working and shared services.
"The provision of improved sports and youth facilities, children’s centre, nursery, customer contact centre and parish rooms shows that the Longtown Moving Forward project will continue to do the very best for the town".
A further report on the preferred development strategy, and the implementation and procurement options will be brought to a future Cabinet following further community engagement.
Details of the Longtown Moving Forward project can be found at www.cumbria.gov.uk/longtownmovingforward
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Media enquiries to Media Officer Chris Little on 01228 226334.
Notes
The Longtown Moving Forward project, which looked at all existing public facilities as well as the former Lochnivar school, included a programme of public engagement earlier this year and a straw poll on the initial options showed that a majority of those who voted were in favour of change.
While a minority opposed all the proposals, almost entirely because they are against the sale of the Lochinvar playing fields, over two thirds of the 301 people who voted were in favour of at least one of the four proposals put forward. Those groups who used the former Lochinvar buildings and playing fields have been found suitable alternative venues.