CWAC approves Northwich regeneration vision
A new market, riverside boardwalks, and water taxis are all part of the authority’s proposals for the town centre.
Cheshire West and Chester Council approved the Northwich Development Framework at its cabinet meeting yesterday in an effort to ensure that future development proposals and investment decisions are made to complement and benefit the town.
The document sets out a joined-up vision for regeneration and the future growth of Northwich over the next decade and beyond, focusing on the design aspect of five specific areas of the town – Barons Quay Riverside, Lower Witton Street and Weaver Way, Upper Witton Street, The Bullring, and Weaver Square.
Drawn up by Planit, the framework earmarks nine key project and opportunity sites for future development within the town centre.
The largest of these plots is Barons Quay at the edge of the River Weaver. The vision for the area includes an enhanced water experience with a new riverside walkway and water taxis, while a modern health facility and flexible office space could occupy vacant waterside units.
Weaver Square is another key site recognised for improvements, with the creation of a new residential-led development anchored by open space outlined.
The square remains mostly vacant since it lost its market due to a fire in 2020, “creating unattractive streets”, according to the document. A new market is proposed to be built in order to emphasise Northwich as a historic market town.
Other sites primed for redevelopment include Winnington Hill, Tabley Street, London Road, Victoria Bridge, and the Old Dairy site.
Cllr Nathan Pardoe, cabinet member for inclusive economy, regeneration, and digital transformation, said: “The Northwich Development Framework sets out a bold and ambitious vision for the future of Northwich.
“It aims to make the best of the assets that the town has, including a fantastic heritage and waterfront area, and suggests how the town can be developed.”
A comprehensive landscape and open space strategy underpins the whole framework. The strategy will improve access to the river, while also creating greater connections to Carey Park, the River Weaver, and The Flashes.
Improved movement and connectivity are also integrated into the plan, with better links from the train station proposed, as well as enhanced cycle and walking connections in the town centre.
Andy Roberts, urban design director at Planit highlighted that the framework understands what aspects of Northwich are working well and where improvements could be made.
“Improved connectivity north and south and to the River Weaver will help to create positive impacts and greater footfall across the town, benefitting residents and retailers”, he said.
“This framework will provide the opportunity to deliver overall health and wellbeing of people in Northwich, while also helping to generate major boons to biodiversity and maintaining an active and thriving community in the town.”
CWAC appointed Planit, along with Civic Engineers, as partners on the development framework last August.
I note at the bottom of the plan “British Waterways”. On 2 July 2012, all of British Waterways’ assets and responsibilities in England and Wales were transferred to the newly founded charity the Canal & River Trust.
By Ratty
More millions ploughed into a northwich whilst winsford gets peanuts
By Samantha
What we really need is a new Winnington bridge in order to ease the traffic congestion and chaos
By Chris goldsmith
It’s about time the council builds another bridge connecting Northwich to the A49 instead of relying on the single crossing bridge from Northwich to Anderton. Enough money has been wasted on the eyesore that is Barons Quay. Are they intent on destroying Northwich altogether
By Anonymous
It all looks very good,I also think a new modern Bus Station would be good for the town.Regarding the New unused units, Altrincham had that problem but they halved them to smaller units which seemed to work.Perhaps you need to go and see!All those empty old shops make the town unattractive which it’s not!
By Trevor Foster
stop talking about it and just do it. the town is dying and we still have a market if you care to look
By market trader
Lessons need to be learned from the construction of Barons Quay, imo poorly designed and a wasted opportunity. For something so recently built parts of it already look in disrepair, for example the asda building/escalator area, ugly safety netting up across the exterior, cracked & stained plaster work inside, dirty and uncared for. It’s certainly not the vision that was promised originally! Work to better connect & integrate this area with High St & Witton St is really needed. I welcome the housing proposals in the old Weaver Square area, needs thoughtful planning & an attractive design with green open spaces.
By Anonymous
To solve the problem of empty shops in the beautiful Northwich town centre, the ‘directors/managers’ of CWAC had many meetings, with tea and biscuits. During one of these, one bright spark suddenly beamed with pride and shouted, “I know, let’s build more shops!” All the attendees jumped to their feet and applauded, and the Chairman called for more tea and authorised jammy dodgers to be served to celebrate. And so, grotesque lumbering square blocks were built which lumbered the ratepayers with their cost running into many millions of pounds and millions more over coming years, as many remain empty. The ratepayers have paid, and will pay for many years, for this flagrant abomination. Northwich was an attractive historic town before CWAC ruined it.
By Anonymous