Chester Central Business Quarter

A key milestone has been reached in the plans to create a vibrant and distinctive Business Quarter in the City Centre – east and south of the railway station.

The Development Framework and Vision, the result of 6 months work with a team of consultants, is now complete and has been approved by Cheshire West and Chester Council Executive. The Framework sets the standards and guiding principles for development within the proposed Quarter.

The primary ambition for the area is to create a sustainable commercial new quarter of the city with high quality office space alongside complementary active uses and new public spaces. This is a major scheme with huge potential to drive economic growth and transform Chester City Centre’s commercial offer. The site has the capacity to deliver 500,000 square feet of new office space and create over 1,100 new jobs.

Delivery will be private sector led, but in strong partnership with the Council and its partners. Discussions with the key landowners and the prospective developer are advancing.

Proposals are long term and it is envisaged that the full development will take up to 15 years to achieve.

The Vision and Development Framework are both available to be downloaded.

The draft documents were the subject of a six week public consultation in May and June 2010. The written responses received have informed the final Development Framework and Vision. The table of responses to the public consultations will be available from Cheshire West and Chester Council website.

The Central Business District includes three key developments, each brought forward by seperate developers:

Shot Tower and Former Leadworks - a residential led re-development of one of Chester's historical sites led by Neptune Developments in partnership with Chester & District Housing Trust (CDHT).

Waitrose Scheme - The supermarket chain plans to create a new store and hotel on the site of the former Boughton Retail Centre.  There will also be improved public realm and a new bridge over the canal, connecting with the Shot Tower area and CBD. 

Commercial Business District -  Muse Developments are progressing with the outline Masterplan and detail for Phase 1, to include the first office building (c. 70,000 sq ft) and public realm linking it with the station. Planning permission is expected to be submitted in September 2012.