Carlisle's Premier Inn Hotel Proposal on Historic Walls Site Heads to Planning Committee
A new 104-bedroom Premier Inn hotel in Carlisle city centre could receive planning permission at an upcoming meeting in Workington next week. Members of Cumberland Council's planning committee are scheduled to convene at Allerdale House on Wednesday, February 25, to deliberate on this significant development proposal.
Historic Location and Development Details
The proposed hotel would occupy the land of the former Central Plaza Hotel site on Victoria Viaduct, with Whitbread identified as the applicant. According to the planning report, the development includes a restaurant, bar, and associated back-of-house facilities. This application is brought before the committee due to its public interest, as it involves a large hotel on a prominent council-owned site.
The site spans approximately 0.15 hectares and encompasses the footprint of the former Grade II listed Central Plaza Hotel. It is situated on the western side of Victoria Viaduct, near the edge of Carlisle city centre. Notably, the location contains a section of the Grade II listed medieval city walls, which serve as a retaining wall to West Walls and are constructed from traditional stone, bricks, and mortar.
Site Features and Access Considerations
A small remnant staircase and former storage cupboard from the previous hotel remain in the north-western corner of the site. Currently, access is limited to Backhouse Walk to the south, with no direct entry from Victoria Viaduct or West Walls due to level differences. The area to the east features retail and office buildings connecting to English Street and Devonshire Street at the northern edge of Carlisle's retail centre.
Carlisle Railway Station lies further east beside the Carlisle Citadel. To the south, between Backhouse Walk and English Damside, traditional warehouses and former industrial buildings face the railway. Backhouse Walk is described as a narrow lane below the level of Victoria Viaduct, while West Walls bounds the site to the north, opposite the blank side elevation of the former Tesco supermarket and the service yard of Marks & Spencer.
Proposed Development and Recommendations
The proposed development entails the erection of a five-storey, 104-bedroom Premier Inn hotel. Bedrooms would be distributed across the lower ground, first, second, and third floors, supported by ancillary areas such as linen stores, plant rooms, and staff accommodation. The planning report recommends granting the application subject to specific conditions, highlighting the integration of historic elements into the new structure.
This decision marks a critical step in Carlisle's urban development, balancing modern hospitality needs with the preservation of its rich historical heritage. The outcome of the committee meeting will shape the future of this key city centre location.
