Chester gears up for Northgate phase two

A development partner will be sought if councillors press ‘go’ on the residential stage of the project.

Cheshire West and Chester Council hopes to enter a pre-development agreement by early 2025. They will seek cabinet approval next Wednesday, 31 July, to push on with their plans to increase the number of homes in the city centre.

The first phase of the Northgate development saw the completion of a relocated and revamped Chester Market, restaurants, cinema, car park, and offices.

This phase aims to deliver homes and public spaces to improve connectivity to the wider city centre, taking in the old Forum shopping centre and offices, Hamilton House, Merchant House, Goldsmith House and former Gateway Theatre.

A report to councillors ahead of the meeting states: “Early indications suggest that housing is going to be a priority for driving growth for the new government and significant brownfield sites such as these will be key to that.”

Procurement will be a fully public contract regulations-compliant process, according to CWAC.

The authority is searching for a partner with a good track record in local authority partnering, development expertise, and strong financial standing.

Earlier this year CWAC ringfenced £5.8m of capital budget within its 2024-27 capital programme to deliver a range of regeneration schemes.

If approval is secured at next week’s cabinet meeting, funds will be drawn down from that allocation in phases to progress the project.

The report to councillors says that although the aim is to maximise private sector and external funding, from Homes England for example, future phases may still need council financial support.

No indication has been given yet for how many homes could be created at this stage.

Cllr Nathan Pardoe, cabinet member for inclusive economy, regeneration, and digital transformation said: “The next phase of development will build on the successes of Storyhouse and the new market by creating a new residential living quarter in the thriving heart of Chester.

“Delivering on the ambitions of the One City Plan, we will create high-quality homes, support local businesses and grow our local economy by creating a new community of residents living in the city centre.

“The Council will begin engaging with a preferred development partner in early 2025, and will continue to work in partnership with key stakeholders through the One City Plan working groups to ensure that this next phase of development meets the needs of Chester.”

You can read the report to the cabinet for next week’s cabinet meeting in full on the council’s website here.