Bryan Gray, the new chairman of Carlisle Renaissance, has said there needs to be common agreement on the nature and outcome of regeneration.

He is now calling for a "rethink" of the plans to revitalise Carlisle, reports Cumberland News, which also cites him as saying that the controversial scheme to demolish much of Rickergate should be scrapped.

Mr Gray told the newspaper that it is unacceptable to "impose" regeneration on the people of Carlisle, especially when it directly affects communities.

"Up to now we've produced lots of action plans and reports. That's not the way to get things done," he stated.

Mr Gray, who is chairman of the Northwest Regional Development Agency, said that regeneration bosses need to "take stock", agree priorities and gather public support before moving forward.

Last October, it was reported that plans are in progress to increase the population of Carlisle by at least 40 per cent.

Business leaders believe that Carlisle's population, which currently stands at 100,000, needs to grow over the next two decades for the sake of the city's economic future.