Chester Uni awaits decision on Parkgate labs

A project to create a pair of laboratory buildings at Parkgate Road Campus, part of an upgrade of the university’s science and engineering faculty, is earmarked for approval by Cheshire West & Chester Council. 

The University of Chester proposes a three-storey, 14,000 sq ft laboratory on part of the car park that serves a cluster of buildings including the NoWFOOD building and Best Building. 

The laboratory would provide the main teaching and learning spaces of the university’s Faculty of Science and Engineering and feature 10 laboratories, including three for robotics, as well as offices.  

In addition, a two-storey engineering design suite is planned for a plot to the north-west of the campus on land also used for staff parking. 

This building, which would be accessed via Exton Park, would house three workshops, a computer laboratory and a design suite. 

The university also proposes a parking area further south on the campus, on a courtyard between Astbury House and Fisher House. 

The scheme, to be constructed by contractor Willmott Dixon, is in line to be approved when Cheshire West & Chester Council’s planning committee meets next week.

Nexus planning is the planning consultant for the project and AHR is the architect. 

Earlier this week, the University of Chester said its Warrington campus could relocate to Time Square, a £142m mixed-use scheme being delivered for Warrington Council by Muse Developments. 

Under the plans, the university would move the campus from its current location on Crab Lane in the Fearnhead suburb, which was deemed unfit for purpose in a university-led review last year.