Chester’s Roodee viewpoint approved

Cheshire West & Chester Council has granted planning permission for improvements to the entrance of Chester's Racecourse.

The council's planning committee has given the go-ahead for an improved entrance viewpoint, located on the City Walls at the Roodee adjacent to the racecourse.

The viewpoint will have a cantilevered deck with seating under a canopy and include lighting with digital binoculars that will allow people to see the Roodee when it was part of the Roman port of Chester, a medieval waterway and fishing ground, as well watch the first horse race that took place in 1539.

The Roodee project is being delivered by the council and Chester Renaissance, alongside architects Donald Insall Associates and interpretation consultants Imagemakers.

The consultant team has collaborated closely with the council's archaeology and conservation officers in putting the project together.

Steven Broomhead, chairman of Chester Renaissance, said: "The objective is to make Chester City Walls the best urban heritage trail in Europe and support Chester's aim to be a 'must see' European destination by 2015.

"This is part of the PORTICO project, which has European funding, and aims to deliver our vision for Chester through the proposed restoration and improvement works."