plans in to transform Carlisle Citadels into the new University Campus thrown into question.

Despite having already appointed as the contractor for the scheme to transform Carlisle Citedels into part of a new University of Cumbria Campus largely funded through a £50m grant from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, to create anew campus offering more than 150,000 sq ft of educational and amenity space for students and staff. 

The grade one-listed Citadels themselves were planned to be converted into offices, teaching spaces and events spaces.

Questions over the future of the transformational project for the city have been raised following an investigation into the lack of updates or progress on the transformational plans for the City by Mr Colin May, Cumberland lead for local party Putting Cumbria First.

Mr May has uncovered information that throws the future of the university of Cumbria Carlisle citadels plans in to question.

Mr May discovered that despite Cumbria County Council approving the transfer of the Citadels buildings to the university in December 2021 no transfer of ownership was completed and the agreement lapsed on 31 March 2023 following owing Local Government Reorganisation officers at Cumberland council have confirmed.

Cumberland council officers have also confirmed that Cumberland Council has not approved the transfer of any Council assets and that the agreement by the former Cumbria County Council has lapsed placing questions over the future of the university campus plans and the multimillion pound funding for the city.