Chester gateway site hits the market
Previously the subject of proposals for offices, a hotel, and student beds, Morbaine’s Black Diamond Street car park close to the city’s train station is up for sale.
Widnes-based Morbaine has appointed Legat Owen to find a buyer for the freehold title of the 0.7-acre Chester site.
Since 2017, the developer has won approval for three separate schemes on the site, adjacent to the Royal Mail depot on Hoole Way, but none have come forward.
The first of these approvals was for a 93,000 sq ft office scheme and came in August 2017.
Later that year, the Planning Inspectorate overturned Cheshire West and Chester Council’s refusal of a 376-bed student scheme – this proposal was first lodged in 2016 but rejected by the council, which deemed it incongruous, overly dominant and overbearing.
Most recently, Morbaine was granted consent for a 244-bedroom, seven-storey hotel in 2020.
the council should purchase it and make it a wildlife corridor the picture taken clearly shows a lack of green habitats .they should do the same at sandy lane instead of seeking planning applications for rental income ,because they manage central gov funds ever so BADLY.
By barry peers
And yet again they take away parking facilities!!! And talk about ‘over bearing’ -seven stories won’t be will it. Ruining local areas yet again 😔
By Gaynor Mather
There a huge field opposite the site.
By Anon
@anon FYI the ‘huge field’ is a small play area
By Cestrian
Pity the people living in Black Diamond Park facing this site, they must be in fear of the next overly-large proposal that threatens to darken their prospects.
By WayFay
Firstly where do the people who park here park in the future? Secondly what about the people who live nearby. Who wants a tall seven story building next to their home?
By David Hampson
Hotel 🤔 look at the last one that was built in the city? It was turned into a student accommodation. Plus it’s one of the busiest junctions+ rd’s in and out of the city would be an absolute bigger nightmare especially on race days. Just leave it as a carpark as it’s always packed
By Bomper75
We live on the front row of Black Diamond Park. – and make it into something as suggested like a green space. Stop trying to monetize every inch.
By L
Chester does NOT need anymore hotels, it needs the council/housing association to build rental properties at a sensible rent or car parking, not at extortionate prices.
By Anonymous
Sanctuary Housing should buy the site, build affordable homes for rent, in order to facilitate a revitalisation of the Newtown estate.
By Anonymous
An extension to Black Diamond Park but for for rent to singles, couples and young families is what is urgently needed in Newtown, not another hotel.
By Steve Howe