The Chester Northgate Scheme is looking to create 500,000 sq ft of new retail and leisure facilities

Chester Northgate Scheme overview

Plans have been submitted for the £300m revamp of the Northgate area of Chester city centre.

Cheshire West and Chester Council are seeking planning approval to create 500,000 sq ft of new retail, restaurant and leisure facilities, plus some residential over two construction phases.

The first phase of the Chester Northgate scheme, subject to planning approval, is expected to start in autumn 2017 and will see the development of two restaurants within the shell of the current library building, a new market hall replacing the current Chester Market, a six-screen cinema and a new, 167-bed four star hotel and conference centre to replace the current Crowne Plaza Hotel.

The second phase would see the main retail offer and residential part of the scheme built.

Council Leader Samantha Dixon said: “This application marks an important milestone in the development of a scheme that will revitalise the Northgate area of the city.  Northgate has the potential to mark a step change improvement in what Chester has to offer residents and visitors alike and will help create over 1000 new job opportunities”.

David Lewis Managing Director of Rivington Land, the Council’s appointed Development Manager said: “We are at a point where we have sufficient confidence in the commercial market prospects of the Northgate Scheme to advise the Council to make this application for a major redevelopment of the city centre.  We have worked hard with the Council and consultees to fine tune the detailed design of Chester Northgate to ensure the best possible fit with the city’s needs and the demands of retailers and other commercial interests”.

A planning decision is expected in early autumn.

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