Our aim for the potential development of the adjacent railway arches

We continue to consult with Network Rail and Spacia in the hope of securing a long term lease for the potential development of the six adjacent railway arches.

An example of railway arch development at Granary Wharf, Leeds

Since 2004 we have conducted and commissioned various consultations in the local area while developing options for potential, sustainable uses of the railway arches. The management committee hope that they can be developed as a social enterprise - in such a way that they would be of benefit to the community and provide additional resources for the local area.
Options identified during consultations conducted between 2004 - 2009 have been assessed in terms of; feasibility, sustainability, their ability to satisfy the needs and aspirations of the community, and the economic, social and environmental impact any potential development would have on the local community.

A summary of our consultation reports can be downloaded here.

Among the themes identified include:

• Health/healthy lifestyle resource - this could compliment our plans for a community "grow your own" type scheme on the north plot.
• Facilities for young people.
• Sports and recreation centre.
• A facility for training/education/routes to employment
• Environmental activities - this could potentially include John Muir Award training, Cumbria Wildlife Trust workshops and opportunities for promoting recycling and sustainable energy.

One arch could be used as our office/base of operations and include; a shared communal space, toilet, washroom, and kitchen facilities. This could be utilised as a show case arch.