Chester Races seeks permanent solution for Linenhall

Approval for an enhanced version of the current parking provision would mean the end for residential development previously approved at the city centre site.

The Linenhall site formerly housed stable blocks for the nearby Roodee racecourse, with plans coming forward in the early 2000s for apartments to replace them once the stables moved to the course.

Plans for 144 apartments, initially advanced by Taylor Woodrow, were approved in 2002 with the consent being refreshed for Chester Race Company in 2012.

Following that, a six-storey scheme featuring 59 cluster flats and 143 studio apartments was put forward by Sussex-based Stephenson Group, in partnership with the racecourse. Approved in 2013, this was also never implemented.

The site houses around 330 parking spaces, and has been consented for parking on a temporary basis since 2009, the consent being refreshed every few years since.

Lovelock Mitchell Architects, working for Chester Race Company, said the project will improve the site by removing the last derelict stable buildings, repairing boundary walls and introducing landscaping, Land Studio is also on the project team.

The site sits below St Martin’s Way on the western edge of the city centre. Although the total parking spaces will climb only slightly, from 328 to 334, the number of accessible spaces will increase from 2 to 17, while 17 electric charging points will also be introduced.

CRC said that the facility will be especially important during construction work as it implements its course improvement masterplan. Approved in 2019, this is a 15-year plan that includes a new grandstand and conference building.

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