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£300m redevelopment of Chester secures green light

Long-awaited plans to redevelop the Northgate area of Chester city centre as part of a £300m scheme incorporating 500,000 sq ft of new retail, restaurant and leisure facilities, which is expected to generate more than 1,000 jobs, have been given the green light.

A host of applications related to the Chester Northgate Scheme (pictured) have been approved by Cheshire West & Chester Council’s planning committee. This includes a hybrid application to redevelop a 14.3-acre site within the city walls bounded by Hunter Street to the north, Northgate Street to the east, Watergate Street to the south and St Martin’s Way to the west.

The site earmarked for regeneration is currently occupied by a range of buildings including the town hall, a library, the former Gateway Theatre, and several office buildings. The proposed retail-led mixed-use redevelopment comprises: retail space, commercial space including a cinema; cafes; restaurants; a replacement hotel; a replacement market; public spaces; homes; offices; and external works to the town hall and other listed buildings.

The scheme is expected to be delivered in two phases. The first phase is due to start in the autumn of 2017. Read more