Chester council will begin a review of the city’s stalled Northgate scheme next week, in a bid to consider options to kick-start the project.
ING Real Estate has long-held plans to deliver a 440,000 sq ft retail-led regeneration project in the city. It had been due to start on site in 2007, but the downturn forced it to put its plans on hold.
In September 2010, ING was granted a three-year extension to its planning consent. The council agreed to the extension, but declined to grant ING the five-year extension it initially proposed.
Herbert Manley, the council’s executive member for prosperity, said : “Northgate is absolutely essential to Chester’s development as a quality retail and visitor centre. Yet despite a good working relationship with our partners, neither the former Chester city council nor the current authority have been able to progress.
“Circumstances – frequently the financial climate – seem to have conspired against us. However, we have reached the point when major decisions have to be taken for the good of the city and future generations.”
daniel.cunningham@estatesgazette.com
