Chester Northgate plans on view

New plans and images by AHR Architects go on display for Chester Northgate from Thursday 28 March in Unit 7 at the Forum Shopping Centre.

Thursday also marks the start of formal planning consultation that will continue until April 18. The plans being consulted on can be seen at: www.chesternorthgate.com/whats-next/

The opening times for the exhibition have been changed for this week.

Thursday 28 March 12 noon – 8pm
Friday 29 March 12 noon – 7pm
Saturday 30 March 10.30am – 3.30pm

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, members from the Chester Northgate technical team will be at the display to answer any questions about the plans.      

Over the past few months the development concepts and visions have been shared with  local groups and businesses. The exhibition at the Forum has attracted over 300 people who have also added their comments to help inform the new plans. 

AHR lead architect Dominic Manfred said: “‘A strong theme that has come out of all the stakeholder engagement and public consultation held to date is for Northgate Phase 1 to incorporate natural elements such as green living walls to reflect the beautiful Cheshire countryside and natural timber to reflect the dominant materiality of the City.

“There has also been a strong preference to create a vibrant new destination for Chester which is extraordinary and unexpected, building upon the success of Storyhouse”.

The Council secured planning permission in 2016 for the relocation of the existing market currently operating in The Forum Shopping Centre, together with a new six-screen cinema to be operated by Picturehouse above the new building. In addition plans were secured to make changes to the old library building which will become an arcade providing connections from Town Hall Square to the new public square.  

The first phase of the Chester Northgate scheme will see a new market, six-screen cinema, public square and car park in the heart of the city centre.  

Chester’s indoor Market has been transformed during the past year attracting over a million visitors eager to sample the growing range of international food, craft beers and visit the many new traders. Northgate aims to create a 21^st century market for the city, building on the growing success of the existing market. 

Adding to the phenomenal success of Storyhouse, Chester Northgate will bolster the city’s leisure and culture offer, as well as providing more jobs in the heart of Chester. The scheduled start on site for enabling works will be late autumn, with a full start on site in early 2020.