A project that could see more than 2,800 jobs created and could signal a £146 million-a-year economic boost to the area has been tabled.

Strawsons Property, a property development and investment group, is bringing forward plans for a commercial and logistics park on land off Junction 44 of the M6 on the outskirts of Carlisle, creating 2,600 jobs at the site and a further 260 in the supply chain.

The 110-acre site, which would be named Harker View, would be transformed into a new sustainable logistics hub for the North West, providing low carbon transport infrastructure while utilising the strategic M6 corridor.

It would incorporate an electric vehicle charging forecourt and a traditional petrol forecourt, facilities such as a 75-bed hotel, a public house, restaurant, and drive-thru eateries.

The site would also benefit from a range of publicly accessible green space, green infrastructure and a potential park-and-ride site. Strawsons Property say they intend to submit a planning application to Carlisle City Council in January.

Carlisle MP John Stevenson said: "The fact that the developer is interested in Carlisle and Cumbria is great news from my perspective. It demonstrates Carlisle is becoming a far more attractive place for business due to its geography and the significance of Carlisle and its businesses to the Borderlands region.

"If this development goes to completion, it is very significant for the area off the back of investment from Amazon and the coming income for the Town's Fund, Citadel and the station. It is a vote of confidence in Carlisle and the wider region."

A spokesman for Strawsons Property, said: “Our proposal presents a unique opportunity for Carlisle to be at the forefront of electric vehicle charging technology and upon completion is expected to generate approximately £146 million annual investment.”

“We are delighted to announce our plans for Harker View to the local community and we want to hear from local people before we submit our planning application in January 2021.”

Strawsons Property is inviting residents to view its virtual public exhibition at harkerview.consultationonline.co.uk.

The virtual exhibition opened yesterday and will run until December 14, with people able to view the plans and provide feedback online.