Council gets go-ahead for Carlisle HQ

Cumbria County Council's plans for new headquarters in Botchergate, Carlisle, have been approved.

The £10.4m offices were designed by AHR Architects and will be built by Eric Wright Construction on the site of a car park in William Street.

The scheme forms part of a downsizing project, which will see the council's offices in the city decrease from 22 buildings to two.

The council faces a £13m maintenance backlog liability on existing accommodation, along with high running costs. According to the council, selling the majority of these offices and moving to custom-built premises will save around £1m each year.

The Botchergate building will feature 450 workstations and will accommodate around 700 staff.

It is anticipated that staff will relocate to the new building from offices including the council's current base at The Courts in English Street by spring 2016.

Hannan Associates and Curtins Consulting advised Eric Wright on the scheme.