Waitrose wins Chester consent

The upmarket grocer has gained approval from Cheshire West & Chester Council for a £40m mixed-use development next to Chester city centre.

Manchester-based HOW Planning advised Waitrose on the proposals, designed by Broadway Malyan, which include a 30,000 sq ft Waitrose store, hotel, offices and canalside dining on the Shropshire Union Canal. There will also be smaller retail units fronting Boughton Road, new public realm and pedestrian bridge crossing the canal.

The development site is the Boughton Retail Centre, which councillors agreed was in need of redevelopment. The plans were approved unanimously.

Conor Vallelly, senior planner at HOW Planning, said: "The Boughton Retail Centre is looking tired and outdated and there is a need for a new supermarket in this part of Chester so we think approval of these plans will be welcomed by the local community. This site is contributing very little to the City presently and this investment will see the delivery of a high quality, sustainable scheme with many benefits including new jobs."