A civic leader says a new £13 million-plus community hub will be the pride of Carlisle “for many years to come”.

Councillor Stewart Young, leader of Cumbria County Council, made the prediction as he joined guests at the Harraby Community Campus for its official opening.

Mr Young and Carlisle City Council leader Colin Glover, himself Harraby born and bred, unveiled a plaque in the new building on Edgehill Road.

They were joined by Margaret Clapperton, chairman of Harraby Community Centre, and Kenny Boom, chairman of governors at Pennine Way Primary School, and watched by 60 invited guests.

It has taken eight years for the former secondary school site to be bulldozed and transformed.

Harraby was one of two pilot areas in north Cumbria – the other being Longtown – chosen to develop a community-led regeneration scheme following the closure of their local secondary schools.

Many feared the sprawling site – previously home to North Cumbria Technology College before it was used as a temporary base for Richard Rose Central Academy and Carlisle College – would be sold off for housing. A residents group – Harraby Together We Can – was formed to draw up plans to bring Pennine Way Primary School and Harraby Community Centre under one roof.

The new campus also boasts children’s centre services run by Barnardo’s, Whale of a Time soft play, a community cafe, library, adult education sessions and new and enhanced sports and theatre facilities.

Liz Jackson, manager of the community centre, said: “When Harraby Together We Can was set up people felt doom and gloom because it was about the time that it was decided that the academy would be based at the St Aidan’s site where it is today.

“People also assumed houses would be built here and it was all a done deal. It was important to show them there were options on the table. We looked at all kinds of things like doctors and shops, anything that could enhance the community. It was also the time when there was no new money coming forward to build a new school or community centre, but Pennine Way was identified as a growing school.”

Cumbria County Council has invested £12m in the new campus, the city council £1.6m.

Mr Young said: “This isn’t just for the community here, it is something for the whole of Carlisle and beyond. I’ve got no doubt this facility will be seen as a beacon, an example, of what can happen when everyone pulls together.

“We had a taste of this kind of thing on a smaller scale at Petteril Bank. That did for Petteril Bank what I hope this will do for Harraby. It is the glue that will bind this community together and it will be the pride of Carlisle for many years to come.”

Mr Glover added: “It is fantastic to see Harraby going from strength to strength and more importantly that it is community-led.”

Sue Blair is headteacher of Pennine Way Primary School. It currently has 350 pupils but will grow to up to 600 to cope with an influx of families attracted to housing developments nearby.

She said: “This site just has so much potential and that is what is so exciting for us all here.