Planit-IE picked for Northwich development framework 

Cheshire West and Chester Council has appointed the design practice to create “a practical toolkit” to guide joined-up regeneration proposals in the town. 

Planit-IE has won the £50,000 Northwich commission, which will run until late October. 

The aim of the Northwich framework, according to tender documents, will be “to provide a practical toolkit for CWAC and future developers and investors as they take forward regeneration proposals within the town, ensuring that investment decisions in Northwich town centre are not progressed in isolation”. 

The council wants the framework to be data-led, allowing the development of a holistic approach to the future of Northwich town centre, considering people, place, environment, transport and movement, economy, housing, health and wellbeing. 

Planit-IE studio director Anna Couch said the company was “delighted” to be appointed to deliver the framework.

“With several team members residents of Northwich we have the benefit of local knowledge and a real passion and affection for the town,” Couch said.

“We look forward to working with the Cheshire West and Chester Council project team on developing a ‘tool kit’ for implementation and change.”

CWAC has been on the front foot in recent times in pushing forward town and city centre development across the county. 

The local authority bought the Winsford Cross shopping centre to enable wider redevelopment of that centre, with B&M now committed as an anchor, while it has also had to take the lead on Chester’s long-running retail-led Northgate scheme. 

Planit-IE, which offers landscape architecture and urban design services, is involved in numerous North West projects at present including the £4bn Victoria North masterplan in Manchester and Peel L&P’s Liverpool Waters regeneration.