A £2.7m project to clear and remediate scrubland at Carlisle’s Caldew Riverside site has officially begun, paving the way for new housing development. The scheme, led by Cumberland Council, is intended to support economic growth in the city centre while preparing the 2.2-hectare brownfield site for future use.
Located between the River Caldew and the West Coast Main Line, the site includes hardstanding vegetation and the Caldew Riverside car park, which will remain open during the works. Alternative parking will be available at West Walls and Viaduct car parks. Story Contracting Ltd has been appointed to carry out the project, with completion expected by mid-2026.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Mark Fryer, said the remediation “paves the way for meaningful development.” The work will remove harmful substances from the site and safeguard local water sources, ensuring the land is safe and suitable for future housing.
Funded through a combination of the Carlisle Town Deal, external funding, the Brownfield Land Release Fund, and Homes England, the project forms part of the council’s Carlisle Local Plan. A key condition of the Brownfield Land Release Fund grant is that the site is brought forward for housing development by 31 March 2028, emphasising the council’s commitment to accelerating construction and economic growth in the area.
