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Corresponence | Archive
When
will Planners consider views - Castle Street
Listen
to What People Want
Far
from merry-go-round
Carlisle
needs people like this
Published on 10/01/2008
River
of memories flow from flood
Published on 05/01/2008
Carry
on Council
Published on 02/01/2008
RENAISSANCE
Published on 22/12/2007
Tourist
centre should stay put
Published on 15/12/2007
TOURIST
CENTRE
Published on 13/12/2007
Tell
the planners how it really is
Published on 12/12/2007
RENAISSANCE
Published on 11/12/2007
HOUSING
Published on 11/12/2007
Traffic in city is ridiculous
Published on 10/12/2007
Cut
bureaucracy and the cash might flow better
Published on 07/12/2007
Carlisle
Renaissance
Published on 05/12/2007
WHAT'S
THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH £20M UNDERSPEND? WISELY
Published on 30/11/2007
BAD
BUSES CREATE THE TRAFFIC
Published on 28/11/2007
Help
us connect to south of city
Published on 19/11/2007
THESE
PLANS ARE NOT POPULAR
Published on 19/11/2007
IS
HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF?
Published on 17/11/2007
SHOPS
NOT NEEDED
Published on 07/11/2007
Now
here's what the Lonsdale could look like once again
Published on 02/11/2007
WHAT'S
CRACK WIDD AW THIS RENAISSANCE CARRY ON LIKE?
PUBLISHED ON 13/10/2007
UNDO
WRONGS
Published on 01/10/2007
CITY
CENTRE STREET IN FAR GREATER NEED OF A REVAMP THAN WASTEFUL RENAISSANCE
PROJECT
WHO
IS MAKING RENAISSANCE DECISIONS?
Published on 18/09/2007
TO
HULL AND BACK WITH PRESCOTT
PUBLISHED ON 31/08/2007
STREET
DOESN'T NEED REVAMP
Published on 25/08/2007
Who wants the Renaissance? | Link
| (News & Star)
Published on 14/04/2007
I don’t know anyone who wants it, but when do the city
councillors ever listen to what the people want?
They pulled the market down – we didn’t want that.
They built that horrible ‘toilet block’ of offices opposite
the Civic Centre.
The Lonsdale would make a smashing theatre, but they won’t
do it.
They want to leave the people of Rickergate alone and listen to
what the people really want instead of not giving a damn.
A McCLUSKEY
Denton Holme
Carlisle
Renaissance is naked stupidity | Link
| (News & Star)
Published on 09/04/2007
WHAT I’d like to know is ... just who in Carlisle actually
wants Renaissance?
Come on now, be honest? Because I am getting the increasing suspicion
that it’s like the Emperor’s New Clothes.
Nobody wants it, but everybody is terrified to say so for the fear
of looking stupid or losing out on money which might be ploughed
into Carlisle.
Money being ploughed into Carlisle is one thing, but being told
how to spend it is quite another.
Just who do they think is going to congregate in these open plazas?
Will we suddenly develop a warmer climate and a cafe culture like
they have in Barcelona? No!
Gangs of youths will congregate and need to be moved on.
We have historic links marked by historic buildings. And I’m
not just talking about the castle here.
If the powers that be go ahead and demolish Rickergate to make way
for a new theatre, then it will be absolutely unforgivable.
The people of Rickergate have suffered enough.
The people of Carlisle have spoken. They want Rickergate. They want
the Lonsdale building. Now even someone with an IQ in single figures
can do the maths.
So, come on people of Carlisle. Let leaders know exactly what you
think of Renaissance.
R MURRAY
Palmer Road
Carlisle
Theatre in Carlisle | Link
| (News & Star)
Published on 05/03/2007
IT has come to the attention of the Save the Lonsdale campaign that
Carlisle City Council seems to be considering building a small theatre
in Rickergate under the Renaissance proposals, which would mean
many people’s houses being demolished to make way for it.
Many people in that area have just returned to their homes following
the floods in January 2005 and now face the possibility of being
forced to move out permanently if the council decides to compulsory
purchase their properties in order to demolish them.
How must these people feel about this when there is a perfect building
standing empty on Warwick Road which could also be the subject of
a compulsory purchase order if the council decide on that course
of action?
That the council is even considering doing this to them is appalling.
Carlisle deserves to have a real theatre and the Lonsdale is in
the perfect location, being near to the rail and coach stations,
taxi ranks, car parks, restaurants, shops and hotels.
We urge the council to give full consideration to saving the Lonsdale
and renovating it.
Further information on our campaign is available on our website
at www.savethelonsdale.co.uk.
KATHRYN BOWSTEAD
Currock Park Avenue
Carlisle
Rickergate is no place for theatre | Link
| (News and Star)
Published on 26/02/2007
LAST year I marched to try to save the Lonsdale from becoming
a block of flats. Where are we now?
I just wanted a cinema in a safe place.
I wanted to be able to go to an area where I could have a nice meal
or a glass of wine with no worries.
I wanted a return of the Saturday children’s cinema, again
in a safe and central area.
I didn’t want some tin pot Kendal Arts Centre. I wanted a cinema
a city could be proud to have.
What happened to the renaissance zones? The entertainment zone?
The learning zone? The Lonsdale falls in both of them.
When did Rickergate become an entertainment zone?
I guess I could have my hair done, buy a secondhand wardrobe and
pay my council tax and then go to the cinema down there. Not quite
what I had in mind.
IAN A DUNCAN
Nelson Street
Carlisle
The Rickergate residents who have formed Save Our Streets could
see their properties demolished to make way for the council renaissance.
As part of this renaissance they are maybe going to build a theatre.
But any redevelopment of this community is wrong.
The Save The Lonsdale committee didn’t plan marches, have coffee
mornings and meetings, or sign petitions for the council to go and
build a theatre in this area.
It doesn’t make sense, when the Lonsdale is sitting there,
ready to become a theatre, cinema, conference hall etc.
Why do they have to destroy a thriving community?
I’d like to wish the Save Our Streets campaign all the best
in their fight.
LINDA HARGREAVES
Ruthella Street
Carlisle
A year ago we had the first march in Carlisle for 21 years. It was
with affection and concern for the Lonsdale.
We did not march for a new theatre in Rickergate or any other part
of Carlisle.
A year later and Botchergate is no safer or more attractive than
last year.
A year later and the City cinema is closing, leaving Carlisle without
an Independent venue.
A year later and one of the very few art deco buildings in this
city is looking even worse and even more decayed.
The Warwick Road area already has restaurants, bars, taxi ranks
and bus lanes to accommodate a calmer evening economy with cinema
and theatre.
The Warwick Street area has only recently recovered from the floods
and is partially residential.
Hmm, now which would be good for a theatre?
EDNA CROFT
Kingfisher Park
Carlisle
ALREADY HAD IT | Link
| (News and Star)
Published on 17/02/2007
I HAVE read with interest the findings of the study Living In
Fear by St Martin's College (News & Star, February 12).
Will the findings of this study in any way influence the way in
which the residents of Warwick Street and the wider community of
Rickergate are being treated by the council?
This community was one of the worst affected by the floods.
We managed to rebuild our homes, businesses and our lives while
experiencing most or all of the symptoms reported in the above study
on the effects of people involved in the floods.
These symptoms are still being felt by the residents of this community
and are being exacerbated by yet another assault on our property.
We have once again been plunged into a dark tunnel of uncertainty
about our future.
One of the main contributors to the high stress levels felt by people
involved in the floods was the lack of control they had over their
future and environment.
The vast majority of the residents in Rickergate do not want to
lose their homes, particularly the residents of Warwick Street who
are under a much more immediate threat than the rest of the area.
We are fighting to protect our homes from destruction because we
have been through losing our homes once and do not want to lose
them again.
We are not deliberately being awkward to try to screw more money
out of the council.
We really do not want to be moved from our community.
We are assured by Ian McNichol and Cllr Mitchelson that they would
recommend that the houses of Corporation Road and Peter Street not
be destroyed, but on looking through the latest plans they do not
reflect this.
Nor does the prospect of a City Development Company being formed
to oversee the implementation of Carlisle Renaissance instil any
confidence.
These companies are formed solely to advance the economic development
of an area with profit for developers being the only criteria, with
little or no regard for the social fabric or history of the community.
JULIE TEMPLETON
Member of SOS Save Our Street Campaign
Corporation Road
Carlisle
The renaissance of Rickergate happened when the insurance companies
rebuilt the homes that were damaged by floods, in a city surrounded
by three rivers without adequate flood defences.
In spite of the fact that we were warned of global warming and its
effects, the city and Rickergate suffered nine to 12 months of physical
and emotional agony.
Thanks to our insurance companies we have had our renaissance.
The council's plans are a second and unnecessary destruction.
JEAN HALL
Warwick Street
Carlisle
IMPORTANT PART OF OUR HISTORY| Link
(News and Star)
Published on 01/02/2007
I AM writing to complain about proposals to demolish the houses
on Warwick Street.
These houses were designed by Percy Dalton to be in keeping
with the fire and police station which were also designed by Mr
Dalton.
This is a part of history that Carlisle should not lose.
During the war the mayor at the time was reported to have said he
could not conceive of anything more important than the work the
fire service was doing to protect the life and property of the city.
I probably owe my life to the prompt action of the fire brigade
after I was involved in a car accident.
There must be many other people in Carlisle who feel safe in the
knowledge that there are firemen and women willing to risk their
lives on their behalf, and I believe that these purpose-built, attractive,
cottage-style houses should be retained as part of the history of
the fire brigade and part of the history of Carlisle.
There are still people living in these houses who have worked or
are working for the fire brigade, who like a lot of people lived
through the worst of the floods and thought that they were safe
back in their homes.
There aren’t many houses in this street; families live alongside
pensioners and are part of the community of Rickergate.
The residents of Warwick Street and the community of Rickergate
will fight for their retention and I hope that the wider community
of Carlisle will join us in this fight to protect the homes of Warwick
Street.
J TEMPLETON
Member, SOS (Save Our Streets Campaign)
Corporation Road
Carlisle
RICKERGATE | Link
(News and Star)
Published on 11/01/2007
IT would be totally ridiculous to destroy the homes in Rickergate
that are part of Carlisle's history (News & Star, January 10).
The properties are in sound condition, many having been restored
since the January 2005 floods.
There is absolutely no justification to destroy this historic part
of Carlisle.
D Cleminson
Upperby
Carlisle
BE SENSITIVE ABOUT HOMES | Link
(News and Star)
Published on 02/01/2007
THE residents of Rickergate in the last two years have shown a resilience
and community spirit that is a characteristic of Cumbrian communities.
Like many of us who were involved in the January 2005 disaster,
they’ve endured the shock of the flooding, the evacuation and
the desperate search for somewhere to live.
They’ve coped with loss adjustors, insurers, contractors and
the eventual organising of the refurbishment of their homes. All
of which took many months of toil and stress.
During the interim the Carlisle Renaissance Regeneration Scheme
was launched, an initiative to kick start the future prosperity
of Carlisle.
Following two public consultations, proposals have been developed,
all of which are being scrutinised.
This is a regeneration initiative that will be 10 to 15 years in
development.
According to the News & Star, December 16, the Carlisle MP has
requested that the city council should, at this very early stage
in Carlisle Renaissance, buy properties in Rickergate.
However, knowing what the Rickergate community has been through,
one would expect he’d consult with all of them before writing.
Has the community told him they want their properties taken from
them? An invitation to give one’s view is one thing.
If the MP’s intervention has been put forward without first
gaining the approval of those most affected, it could be needlessly
damaging and I believe more sensitivity is required.
Olwyn Luckley
Castle Ward City Councillor
ASK RESIDENTS WHAT THEY THINK | Link
(News and Star)
Published on 30/12/2006
FURTHER to the recent letters in this paper with reference to the
possible compulsory purchase of properties in the Rickergate area
of Carlisle, the city council has recently released a consultation
document on how it wishes to involve and consult with the residents
and communities of Carlisle.
It says in its “City Vision Partnership” booklet that
“City Vision is all about communities having their say in the
future but it doesn’t stop there. This partnership is committed
to communities being empowered and effectively involved in making
decisions that affect their lives”.
If the city council is sincere in its commitments to its citizens,
who provide its funding, then it should not allow the influence
of its “business partners” to use the threat of compulsory
purchase as a means of driving out established communities.
Any consultation should be taken in an atmosphere of trust, openness
and honesty, and without threats.
The city council further needs to understand that there is no deeper
commitment that any resident of Carlisle can make than to purchase
a house in an area they choose to live in, so investing in building
not just a home for their family, but also a vibrant and sustainable
neighbourhood where friendships and communities flourish at no extra
costs to the council.
The whole idea of the “Renaissance of Carlisle” is just
a myth if the city council has to destroy an already established
sustainable and thriving area of the city in order to create “affordable
homes, in a sustainable community where people wish to live”.
The Rickergate community is already established, and, judging by
the residents’ letters, flourishing.
There should also be a further consideration taken into account:
the “Renaissance of Carlisle” was brought about by the
need of the city council to relocate its offices to the other side
of the city to protect them from flooding, yet if the three tiers
of local government are to be combined, then these offices will
be surplus to requirements.
So should not the Renaissance of Carlisle be put on hold until this
matter is resolved in a public referendum by the residents of Carlisle?
David Young
Carlisle & Rural Tenants Federation
c/o Barras Close
Morton Park
RICKERGATE IS A TRUE COMMUNITY | Link
(News and Star)
Published on 21/12/2006
IT was with some concern that I read the report of a letter from
Eric Martlew to Maggie Mooney, chief executive of Carlisle City
Council (News & Star, December 16), advising the City Council
to purchase the properties in Corporation Road, Peter Street and
Warwick Street.
I am the acting secretary of Save Our Streets, a group of local
residents which has been recently set up to oppose plans to destroy
the physical and social fabric of the area, including our homes
and businesses, and to preserve, if appropriate, the buildings of
historical, architectural and cultural significance.
I would like to raise a number of points: There are no final plans
yet for this area and I feel it somewhat premature of Mr Martlew
to advise the Council’s purchase of these properties.
While we appreciate Mr Martlew’s concern for what is an uncertain
future, we wish to make it quite clear that the area is not as yet
up for demolition.
We feel that his unguarded remarks are perpetuating an unfounded
idea that the streets are definitely up for demolition and that
the area is therefore blighted.
As far as I am aware there is no evidence that properties in the
area will not sell.
The advertised prices are well in line with pre-flood prices for
properties in the area, and with similar properties in comparable
areas of the city.
One of the properties in Corporation Road which previously had a
For Sale sign now has a Sold sign.
The newly opened creche business, Early Birds, is doing very well.
There is no indication that the area is blighted.
There is huge support for Save Our Streets; just about everyone
in the community has pledged support for retaining our homes, businesses
and community.
As a result of dealing with the problems thrown up by the floods,
many new friendships and contacts have been made which has resulted
in an even more friendly, co-operative and close-knit community
than was the case before.
The small, independent businesses are all thriving and are well
supported by the residents of the area.
Elizabeth Allnutt
Peter Street
Carlisle
LEAVE OUR HOMES ALONE, THANKS | Link
(News and Star)
Published on 20/12/2006
MP Eric Martlew suggests the city council should offer to buy homes
under threat of demolition in the Rickergate area (News & Star,
December 16).
Does he suggest that to relieve our stress, they should cut out
the “middle man” – ie democracy – and not even
wait for the legal process?
The houses for sale are in very good condition having been completely
renovated after the floods.
Houses very rarely come on to the market in this area because so
many of the residents do not want to move; but like any thriving
community, people may wish to sell their homes and move on.
The comments by the chief executive Maggie Mooney that the evidence
linking the difficulty of selling houses in this area to the Renaissance
plans was “less than conclusive”, shows how out of touch
with reality she really is.
This is a very strong, thriving community with residents and businesses
united in fighting any plans to demolish this area.
As for weighing up the benefits for the wider community – do
any of the people of Carlisle actually believe they will reap the
benefits of knocking down good family homes and replacing them with
modern housing?
The only ones who will benefit are the developers, who will not
even be local.
Development could still take place while keeping the existing houses
and businesses, and ensuring Carlisle maintains its uniqueness and
does not become another clone of many other city developments throughout
the country.
Julie Templeton
Corporation Road
Carlisle
WE DON'T WANT TO SELL HOMES | Link
(News and Star)
Published on 19/12/2006
MY wife and I have been resident in Warwick Street, Rickergate,
since 1982 and like most other residents in our area whose homes
are not up for sale we do not wish to be forcibly removed from our
homes by any compulsory purchase order, as suggested by our MP Eric
Martlew (News & Star, December 16).
We agree that some decision should be taken sooner rather than later
regarding Carlisle Renaissance proposals for the Rickergate area.
But with respect, no thank you, Eric and members of Carlisle City
Council.
My wife and I and no doubt many others within the area simply wish
to remain in our own homes.
Existing government compulsory purchase compensation schemes fall
way below what we would require to move to a similar type of property.
Remortgaging is simply not for us at our age.
Rickergate could be redeveloped to incorporate existing residential
properties and buildings and no doubt at far less cost to the ratepayers.
Meanwhile let’s get the flood barriers up to protect Rickergate
and the city centre area now.
George Cochrane
Warwick Street
Carlisle
OUR DEOCRACY IS FLAWED | Link
(News and Star)
Published on 30/10/2006
WHILE sitting down to watch another thrilling episode of The Simpsons
with my two kids, we were interrupted by a knock on the door.
Strange I thought, not expecting anyone and way too late for the
postman.
Answering the door I found my next door neighbour holding a sheet
of paper for me to look at.
It was an article from the News & Star online paper: ‘City
Leaders Put Policies To The Public’, a meeting to hear an update
on the Carlisle Renaissance, part of ‘Local Democracy Week.
‘
As Mike Mitchelson puts it, “an event to engage the public
in the democratic process.
“We want as many residents as possible to attend.”
Well excuse me for being a tad sceptical, but how exactly did he
plan to get as many residents as possible to the meeting if we weren’t
told.
I checked the much-praised Carlisle Focus magazine and found, on
the same spread as our new mayor (also to be at the meeting) a list
of Carlisle City Council meetings.
October 18, nothing at 6pm and nothing to invite as many residents
as possible.
Strange I thought, checking through my pile of letters from the
past week, still nothing from the council, inviting as many residents
as possible to the meeting.
Anyhow, I quickly got the kids ready (my girlfriend was out), put
on my trainers and walked over to the Civic Centre.
This was my introduction to the rather formal world of council meetings.
Having an energetic three-year-old to keep under control, I was
not as attentive as I would have liked.
We had listened to the leader tell us how impressive the council
has been, how inventive it is going to be, heard him throw out a
whole load of facts and figures telling us what Carlisle needs.
This of course is all with the help and consultation of the public.
Hang on a minute, I looked around the half empty room to see faces
I recognised among the many suits and ties. Three – two neighbours
and myself.
Is this the best Mike Mitchelson can do in the democratic process?
Well of course it is, the force behind the demolition of Rickergate,
for the mind blowing Carlisle Renaissance does not want to keep
the residents of Rickergate informed, until it is too late.
I plucked up courage and asked a question: ‘Can the council
please tell me what the people of Rickergate have to do to stop
the demolition of our houses?’.
As I expected the answer was vague and basically would depend on
consultation with many different groups.
So, after the horror of the floods (we just got back in March) and
reading the possible plans for Rickergate, I can safely say I will
be attending all meetings I possibly can from now on; I am Neil
Alexander Irving (proud of my street and community), and part of
the ‘Save Our Street SOS campaign.
Neil Irving
Corporation Road
Carlisle
PITY THE RESIDENTS | Link
(News and Star)
Published on 27/09/2006
JUST when the Rickergate residents have got their homes back in
order they are under threat again – this time by their council’s
demolition ball (News & Star, September 20).
These unfortunate people are the sacrificial victims of the council’s
grandiose Renaissance scheme.
Council leader Mike Mitchelson stressed the needs of the city as
a whole.
It’s all right for him. He doesn’t live in the area.
Chief executive Maggie Mooney bridles at accusations that the deal
has been done and the council is merely going through the motions.
Well, nobody believes them! That’s what they said about the
Lonsdale.
The silence from the civic centre is deafening.
The preservation of this building could be a genuine component of
any renaissance plan – and more than the council’s plan
to modernise an historic area.
The longer Ms Mooney’s planners keep quiet about the Lonsdale,
the greater suspicion increases that some deal has been done with
the developers which the council is trying to renege upon.
D Wilson
Carlisle
Please don’t ruin lovely city | Link
(News and Star)
Published on 13/09/2006
I AM disappointed about the Rickergate renaissance (News & Star,
September 9). Do we really have to have another place in Carlisle
torn to pieces and made so-called “modern” ?
Carlisle doesn’t need it – Carlisle is an old city. It
needs to keep some of the atmosphere it has got left. Don’t
ruin it. The Civic Centre already overpowers it and needs to be
torn down and rebuilt.
Rickergate doesn’t need to be redeveloped. It is part of Old
Carlisle. I remember my brother and I going down Corporation Road
as a child to get our clogs fitted in the Forties and Fifties, and
all those lovely old houses.
Please don’t ruin the little bit of old Carlisle that is left.
There is very little left of the Carlisle that I knew in the Forties
and Fifties and even less left of the Carlisle that my mother knew
in the Twenties and Thirties.
We need to keep some of the character of the city that we have got.
Carlisle is not a nice old Border city any more – you could
be anywhere in the country. You won’t attract tourists with
a city centre like that.
It is a shame we allow people in authority to do this.
I am not a Carlisle girl – I am from Cumwhinton, but it was
a treat to come to Carlisle on a Saturday morning, go to Binns for
your coffee, do Liptons the Maypole, Armstrong’s cake shop,
the Silver Grill cake shop... but now you could be anywhere.
Rhona Savage
Blencathra Street
Keswick
LEAVE THIS BUILDING STANDING | Link
(News and Star)
Published on 15/05/2006
AM I ALONE in thinking that to demolish the police station/fire
station in Rickergate, Carlisle would be no better than an act of
mindless vandalism?
Surely a building of such excellent architecture could be incorporated
into the planned renaissance of Carlisle, instead of being razed
and replaced by another concrete monstrosity?
Why can’t it be re-occupied, as other buildings affected by
the floods have been?
N MARK
Orton Grange
Carlisle
|
