Waitrose Chester plans submitted

HOW Planning has put forward a part-outline, part-detailed planning application for a new full offer Waitrose store in Chester.

The scheme, which would result in the redevelopment of the Boughton Retail Centre site and adjoining land, also seeks outline planning permission for a hotel and offices.

Waitrose appointed HOW to provide planning advice for the proposed 30,000 sq ft store to anchor a new mixed-use development including smaller retail units fronting Boughton Road, public realm and pedestrian bridge over the Shropshire Union Canal.

HOW worked with Broadway Malyan Architects on the scheme. Extensive pre-application discussions were also undertaken with Cheshire West & Chester Council.

A community consultation exercise undertaken in October last year, demonstrated over 90% support for the mixed use proposals from stakeholders and the local community.

Conor Vallelly, senior planner at HOW Planning, said: "The plans will deliver a high quality retail offer by regenerating the Boughton Retail Centre which is looking tired and outdated. It is great to be working with an ambitious retailer who has such a unique approach to the market, as demonstrated by the high quality design proposed for the new Chester store. These proposals will hopefully contribute positively towards the city's wider regeneration objectives as set out in Chester's One City Plan."

There is a Little Waitrose on Foregate Street but no full range store in the city.

Nigel Keen, director of development at Waitrose, said: "The submission of our application is another exciting step forward in realising our aspiration to have a full offer store in Chester and further underlines our ambition to increase our presence in the North West. We have worked hard to design a first class proposal that would represent a major investment for our business and deliver substantial benefits to the city."