Two thousand against plans for Carlisle university campus changes

By Kelly Eve Education reporter

Last updated 13:32, Friday, 24 October 2008

A 2,000-name petition has been handed to the University of Cumbria against plans to alter its campuses.

The signatures have been collected since the university announced proposals to make changes around the sites in March. Objectors claim the university is planning to ‘downgrade’ the Ambleside campus, which has been there for over a century.

The new university is looking to develop its own identity over the next decade following its creation from the amalgamation of three previous institutions – St Martin’s College, Cumbria Institute of the Arts and two campuses of the University of Central Lancashire.

It is developing £160 million plans which include proposals for a £70 million campus and headquarters in Carlisle. But the plans would also see a shake-up of what courses are offered from each campus.

Under the current proposals, upon which the cash to carry out the work is being bid for, undergraduate teacher training courses currently delivered at Ambleside would be switched to Carlisle and Lancaster.

Most outdoor courses would go to Newton Rigg near Penrith, leaving the Lake District campus to specialise in post-graduate and short courses.

The university says the proposals would also result in a investment leading to the creation of state-of-the-art conference facilities and high quality student and delegate accommodation.

It could also see the sell-off of Lake District assets at Kelsick, Hill Top and halls of residence which are not on campuses, for residential or leisure use. The Ambleside proposals have sparked a petition and online campaign by objectors who believe the local economy could be hit by the changes.

Former student Luke Connolly handed over the petition to the university’s pro vice-chancellor Ruth Jenkinson yesterday.

He said: “Ambleside is a hidden treasure in the heart of the Lake District, built on the solid roots of teacher training specialists Charlotte Mason and St Martin’s College.

“Students do not want to go anywhere; they have deep affection for what is one of the only university villages in the world, and something which should be lost for the sake of developing other campuses..”

He added: “There is an urgent need for the university to reconsider its plans”

Ms Jenkinson said: “The proposals which the University of Cumbria outlined in its estates strategy regarding the Ambleside campus and the development of specialist provision suited to its unique and strategically important location are still under consideration by the university board.

“No firm decisions have as yet been taken and the university is keen to take all views into account as part of the decision-making process.”

The roots of today’s Ambleside campus date back to 1892 when a teacher training college was founded by Charlotte Mason.

It merged with Lancaster University in 1992 before it was taken over by the University College of St Martin. It has two sites, one in the centre of Ambleside and the old Kelsick School on Wansfell.

The Ambleside campus offers both primary and secondary teacher training courses. The University of Cumbria is the largest provider of newly-qualified teachers in the country.