Full steam ahead for Chester’s Northgate regen phase two
CWAC’s cabinet has given the green light to allow the authority to push on with the residential stage of the project.
Following last week’s cabinet meeting Cheshire West and Chester Council will now seek to have a pre-development agreement in place by early next year.
The authority is keen to increase the number of homes in Chester city centre and tap into the government’s ambition for growth in the provision of housing.
No indication has been given yet for how many homes will be developed but plans are set to take in the old Forum shopping centre and offices, Hamilton House, Merchant House, Goldsmith House and the former Gateway Theatre.
CWAC is aiming to repurpose brownfield sites to deliver homes and public spaces which improve connectivity to the wider 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.
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.
Funds will be drawn down from that allocation in phases to progress the project.
Councillors have been told 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.
The report to the cabinet on Northgate phase two can be read in full on the council’s website here.
There is a wonderful opportunity to incorporate high density living in the Northgate Phase Two. There are examples, in the City, of attractively designed flats and apartments, e.g. Grosvenor Park Road and Boughton. Some of the existing three storey office buildings could be reassigned to flats, Hamilton House and Goldsmith House without the expence of demolition. An architectural challenge but whatever the abiding principle must be on good, attractive design. The existing market should provide a stimulus for the further development. Not more shops, thankfully.
By Nigel Bruce
@August 07, 2024 at 12:53 pm
By Nigel Bruce
I agree. I’d like to add that I feel an invited architectural competition should be initiated for this project.
By Rye