ING Real Estate was appointed by Chester City Council to redevelop the area fronting onto Northgate and behind Watergate Street to create a new quarter for the people of Chester.
This website sets out to answer just a few of the questions you may with to ask. Inevitably, there will be many more questions that we haven't answered but please feel free to write or call us.
We are here to listen to you and to ensure that the developer and its highly experienced and talented professional team retain their original vision, which is…"to create a new, vibrant quarter for the people of Chester, which totally integrates with the city's historic townscape."
The Northgate Development will provide a new vibrant quarter for Chester on what is primarily back land and proposes a high quality design solution with a mix of uses in a permeable and accessible setting. The scheme will deliver the following:
The aims and objectives of the new proposals are:
The new library will face Town Hall Square and will be on three floors above the retail units. Public access will be via a glazed atrium from Town Hall Square with stairs, lift and escalator access to the upper floors. The remains of the Roman Strong Room will be brought fully into view from within the library foyer. The existing pedestrian link from Town Hall Square will be enhanced and Hamilton Place will become a new public space called Lion Yard, leading to Theatre Square.
The new market will be larger than the existing market and will be located between the department store and Northgate Street with a pedestrian route from the new bus station. The market will be built in two phases. The majority of the building will be completed in phase one with some temporary units located on Town Hall Square. These will accommodate those traders who will move into phase two when the current library moves from its existing location. Access from Northgate Street will be through the three listed arches of the former Crosville Motorworks and there will be a first floor restaurant with views out across Town Hall Square. The refurbishment of Town Hall Square will also provide an opportunity for the current popular themed markets to operate including the French, German and county markets.
A new shopmobility centre will be provided within the Trinity Street car park providing 25 electric wheelchair/scooter spaces together with support facilities, including an office and 25 mobility car parking spaces. In addition, adjacent to the bus station, there will be a satellite shopmobility unit where reserved wheelchairs/scooters can be collected.
At present the only toilets are within the Princess Street car park and the 24-hour toilet by the bus station. On completion of the development there will be a new 24-hour toilet to the rear of the Odeon cinema, new toilets adjacent to the bus station and within the retail element of the scheme. This is in addition to any toilet provision within the performing arts centre and department store.
The whole of the new area will be managed by a dedicated team employed by the developer to ensure the open streets are kept clean and safe. There will be CCTV coverage throughout the area including the new car park. With a combination of daytime activities, evening events and people living within the scheme a safe and pleasant environment will be created.
The initial phases of demolition have commenced on the area between St Martin’s Way and the bus station, to the north of Princess Street. This includes St Martin’s House and the former Mission Hall. Demolition will then continue of buildings on Hunter Street later in 2007 with completion scheduled for 2011.
The City Council, County Council and ING have entered into legal documents which commit all the parties to deliver the entire scheme and relocate their appropriate offices and services.
All the works are being funded by the developer and the City Council will maximise the value from its existing property holdings by sharing the rental income from the Northgate site and retaining a number of freehold buildings including the performing arts centre, market, bus station and new council offices.