Chester History Centre nets planning approval

Now, Cheshire Archives and Local Studies just needs Cheshire East Council to approve a similar scheme in Crewe to secure the future new homes of its 900-plus-year-old collection.

Cheshire West and Chester Council granted planning permission for the 21,800 sq ft History Centre during its planning committee meeting on Tuesday.

Situated off Lightfoot Street in Hoole, the new history centre will contain space not only to store archival material, but to exhibit it as well. There will also be areas for research to be conducted and events to be held, according to designs by Ellis Williams Architects.

The Chester History Centre will be built on the site of the former Enterprise Centre, which has since been demolished.

View of the front of the proposed Chester History Centre. Credit: via Cheshire West and Chester Council

Cheshire West and Chester Council Leader Cllr Louise Gittins described the archives’ material as having “local and national importance”.

Gittins described why the Cheshire Archives and Local Studies needed a new building.

“The current location is no longer able to meet the expectation and requirements of the many people who access the service,” she said.

“This is an exciting project working in partnership with Cheshire East Council that will allow us to move forward to revolutionise access to a wider audience and protect the collection for future generations,” she continued.

Gittins also went on to discuss the benefits the new facility would offer.

“The new History Centre will also help to improve outreach and our digital programme, extending access to the archives across Cheshire and further afield,” Gittins said.

“There will be better spaces for staff and volunteers to work with the collections, more spaces for research, performances and exhibitions, and opportunities to develop and exchange skills,” she concluded.

Chester History Centre will be constructed off Lightfoot Street in Hoole. Credit: via Cheshire West and Chester Council

Cheshire East Council will be weighing in on the Chester History Centre’s sister building on 15 March. The Cheshire East facility will be built in Crewe.

If the Crewe History Centre can also secure planning permission, construction work could begin on the archival facilities this autumn. An autumn start would set the buildings up for a winter 2025 finish.

Money for the two history centres comes, in part, from a £4.5m grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

In addition to Ellis Williams Architects, the project team for the history centres includes planner Avison Young, Leigh Ecology, and Henderson Heritage. Curtins is the consultant for transport, drainage, and contaminated land. Buro Happold is the consultant for noise impact, sustainability, energy, and BREEAM.

The planning application reference number for the Chester History Centre is 22/04233/FUL on the Cheshire West and Chester planning portal.

The planning application reference number for the Crewe History Centre is 22/4451N on the Cheshire East planning portal.