Details have been released of an ambitious project to turn a Carlisle city centre landmark into a brand new campus for the University of Cumbria.

A public consultation has today been launched on proposals to convert the Carlisle citadels into a new university campus, in the heart of the city centre.

A key part of the Borderlands project, details of the proposed new city centre campus have been published in order to collect the views of residents on the plans.

The Borderlands project is a major initiative involving the five local authorities on either side of the English-Scottish border, in which central Government is providing hundreds of millions of pounds to fund projects across the region in a bid to accelerate its economic growth.

The citadels project, which has attracted £50m of funding, is one of the most significant aspects of the Borderlands project for Carlisle, alongside an improvement to Carlisle railway station worth £15m.

The University of Cumbria’s vice chancellor, Professor Julie Mennell, said that having a presence in the city centre will make a big difference to Carlisle.

“The citadels project, in partnership with Cumbria County Council and Carlisle City Council, recognises the significance of the university to the success of the city and vice versa,” Professor Mennell said.

“We are excited about the opportunities it presents to us as a university to increase the impact we have on our city, and the wider economy.

“The citadels project will be transformational for our cross-border region, our city, its communities and individuals.”

Stewart Young, leader of Cumbria County Council and one of the local authority leaders heavily involved in putting together the Borderlands project, encouraged as many people as possible to share their views.

“We need to ensure we progress the development of a business case in order to secure the funding for this transformational project,” he said.

“I’d encourage everyone to take a look at the consultation material online and give us their feedback. This will help us shape our plans.”

Visit cumbria.gov.uk/CSGCC to view the consultation documents.

John Mallinson, leader of Carlisle City Council, said: “The overall vision of this ambitious project is to bring the iconic citadel buildings back into use, respecting the heritage whilst creating a modern and vibrant new hub for learning, business and culture that reshapes the future of Carlisle and the Borderlands region for the benefit of its communities and future generations.

John Stevenson, Carlisle’s MP and the region’s liaison with Government on the Borderlands project, said: “This project is hugely significant and has the potential to truly transform an important part of the city.

He added that it was a “further demonstration of the ambition of the city”.