Rickergate homes blighted over Renaissance uncertainty
Last updated 14:00, Thursday, 20 November 2008

An estate agent says the Rickergate area of Carlisle has been “blighted” by uncertainty over Renaissance plans to redevelop the area.

Richard Stronach, a senior valuer and director at H&H King, recently valued a three-bedroomed home in Warwick Street at £130,000 to £135,000.

He told the owner, Simon Osman, the property would almost certainly fetch £10,000 more if there was no threat that it might be demolished.

Mr Stronach’s valuation letter says: “It must be noted that the street was subject to recent discussions with regard to the Carlisle Renaissance and there was a successful campaign to keep these properties. This has, however, elevated a state of nervousness with regard to the resale value and the potential for them.

“We do consider that the street is still blighted. We have taken this into account when arriving at our valuation figure.”

Mr Osman was planning to sell the house but has now chosen to let it instead.

Mr Stronach’s comments add weight to the Save Our Streets campaign’s call for Carlisle City Council to end the uncertainty over Rickergate.

Although plans to bulldoze the area to make way for a plaza with shops, offices and a hotel have been dropped, the council has said it wants to draw up a development brief outlining long-term proposals for redevelopment.

In response to a question tabled by Mr Osman when the council met on November 4, council leader Mike Mitchelson confirmed this was still the council’s intention. He said: “The city council has not caused any blight on Rickergate. The area has been identified as one of the main areas for regeneration. We have looked in some detail at its potential and we will be preparing a planning brief for the area.

“As far as the Renaissance board is concerned, Rickergate isn’t a priority for action but as far as the council is concerned we are committed and have to prepare a planning brief within the life of the Carlisle local plan.”

Mr Osman has now written to Mr Mitchelson asking him to involve Save Our Streets in this process.

He says: “Will you finally then liaise directly with us on the production of this brief? Something which you have failed to do in the past.

“Save Our Streets and the residents of Rickergate know the area better than any consultant and could bring innovative ideas and expertise to the development process – that is if we are allowed to.”

Mr Mitchelson was unavailable to comment yesterday but it is understood that he has agreed to meet Save Our Streets to discuss Rickergate.

Taken from The News & Star / [Link] / [Back to top]

Carlisle homeowners in limbo waiting for renaissance
Last updated 13:11, Friday, 07 November 2008

Carlisle City Council has refused to rule out plans to redevelop Rickergate, even though residents say uncertainty over its future prevents them selling their homes.

The new Carlisle Renaissance board has dropped a scheme that would have bulldozed much of the area to make way for a plaza with shops, offices and a hotel.

But city council leader Mike Mitchelson hinted the plans could be revived.

That prompted Warwick Street resident Simon Osman to table a question when the council met on Tuesday.

He asked: “Now that Renaissance plans for Rickergate appear to have been shelved, what action is the city council going to take to remove the planning and moral blight that still hangs over homeowners in the area? Blight which this council has caused.”

He added: “I had my property valued by [estate agents] H&H King who say the area is still blighted.

“The uncertainty is preventing people from moving on in their lives if they so wish.”

Mr Mitchelson stood by his previously-stated position.

He replied: “The city council has not caused any blight on Rickergate. The area has been identified as one of the main areas for regeneration.

“We have looked in some detail at its potential and we will be preparing a planning brief for the area.

“As far as the Renaissance board is concerned, Rickergate isn’t a priority for action but as far as the council is concerned we are committed and have to prepare a planning brief within the life of the Carlisle local plan.”

Proposals for Rickergate have been some of the most controversial tabled by those behind Carlisle Renaissance.

Residents quickly rallied against them and formed the Save Our Streets group, fighting for homes and businesses.

Renaissance board chairman Bryan Gray’s announcement in September that the Rickergate scheme was not being pursued was seen as a boost to campaigners, but was followed by uncertainty after it was hinted they could be brought forward again.

After its September meeting, the board stated it planned to ask Tesco to scrap plans for a new supermarket on Viaduct Estate so land could be released to the University of Cumbria for a £70m campus.

Its four priorities are the new campus, the city’s historic core, new sites for business near the M6 and the city-centre economy.

Taken from The News & Star / [Link] / [Back to top]

Residents ‘left in limbo’ over Carlisle Renaissance plans
Last updated 10:24, Saturday, 01 November 2008

Carlisle City Council will come under renewed pressure from Save Our Street campaigners next week when they are questioned over future plans at a meeting.

The residents of Corporation Road and Warwick Street say they have been left in limbo following uncertainty as to what will happen to their homes.

The city’s new Carlisle Renaissance board last month shelved controversial redevelopment plans for the Rickergate area.

Chairman Bryan Gray said the scheme for a plaza with shops, flats, offices and a four-star hotel was no longer “being pursued”.

But city council leader Mike Mitchelson later hinted that redevelopment could go ahead at a later date.

This has prompted the Save Our Streets group, which is opposed to the demolition of homes, to demand that Renaissance officials come clean with their intentions.

Simon Osman, who has a house in Warwick Street, yesterday accused the council of wasting money buying properties in the area when they thought it would be redeveloped, only to become ‘stuck’ with them now the scheme had been mothballed.

“They don’t know what they are doing,” he said.

“We’ve been asking questions at council meetings over the past 12 months and at no time have we got a satisfactory answer.”

Mr Osman will question council leaders at a meeting in the Civic Centre on Tuesday night. He said the uncertainty hanging over the future of homes in the area was affecting house prices.

Mr Mitchelson denied there was a blight on Rickergate. He said: “We have looked in some detail at its potential and following the Local Plan Inquiry recommendations, will prepare a planning brief for the area.”

Taken from The News & Star / [Link] / [Back to top]