The developers of the Northgate scheme in Chester have revealed plans to add a new hotel to the existing enhanced masterplan.
The hotel, consisting of 168 bedrooms, would replace the 1980s Crowne Plaza, opening up the site adjacent to Trinity Street car park for a anchor department store. It would also offer a conference facility, spa and rooftop restaurant, and would be located on the existing pocket park between Princess Street and Hunter Street.
Development manager Rivington Land submitted the enhanced proposal to Chester city council following a comprehensive review examining whether the masterplan, which was first developed back in 2012, would adequately adhere to current retail market requirements and demands.
According to the report, the relocation of the current Crowne Plaza hotel would create a more fluid retail circuit, thereby providing additional prime frontage as a means of attracting a higher calibre of occupant to the new development.
Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Councillor Samantha Dixon, hopes that the plans will allow a greater proportion of consumer spending to remain in the city.
“The delivery of Chester Northgate has been a longstanding aspiration for the council and one on which there has been consensus across party political lines,” she told the Chester Chronicle.
“I look forward to discussing the enhanced masterplan proposals with my Cabinet colleagues. This is an important step in shaping the future vision for the city.”
The council is due to consider the masterplan for the Northgate development on Wednesday the 2nd of September, after which Rivington Land will consider the points raised and bring forward a formal planning application in early 2016. In total, the redevelopment of the site is expected to cost £300 million to complete.
Along with the addition of the new hotel, other changes to the original 2012 masterplan include incorporating up to 40 residential units and reducing the number of planned retail units in order to fulfil retailer demand for larger sized stores.
The report argues that this course of action is preferable to the outlines set in 2012 as the gradual recovery of the commercial property market following the recession allows for a more “comprehensive development” to be created.
Altogether, the scheme would see Chester gain a new retail and leisure quarter, with a new market hall, a multi-screen cinema and car parking for up to 900 vehicles anchored by a department store.
Managing Director of Rivington Land, David Lewis believes the revised plans would further aid the city council’s attempts to make Chester more attractive for visitors and residents.
He says; “We are confident the enhanced scheme proposals we have recommended to the council present an excellent opportunity to attract the major retail investment needed to develop and modernise Chester’s shopping and leisure amenities, and improve the experience of the city for residents and visitors alike.”
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