Have your say on the Chester City Gateway

There is still time for residents and businesses to have their say on the Chester City Gateway regeneration project.

Over 400 people attended a series of recent drop-in consultation events across the City and people can continue to provide feedback on the draft Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) via the project website: 

www.chestercitygateway.co.uk.

The public consultation will close at midnight on Friday 3 February.

The draft SRF sets out the strategic vision, key initiatives, and overarching principles for the Chester City Gateway, which will be used to attract inward investment, support future funding bids and inform future planning applications.

The four-week public consultation was launched by a partnership between Cheshire West and Chester Council, Network Rail and the placemaking and regeneration expert LCR, on a project which will shape future development within the regeneration area over the next decade.

The main elements include:

1. An improved Chester Railway Station experience – creating an enhanced gateway into the city with improved public realm.
2. Supporting greater accessibility and prioritisation of walking and cycling – introducing a new pedestrian and cycle bridge, improved walking and cycling routes to create an integrated transport hub.
3. Consolidating and improving car parking – positioning car parking to better reflect the needs of station users.
4. Delivering high quality placemaking and public realm – creating a place where people want to live, spend time or work.
5. Meeting local housing need – diversifying the housing offer for local people in an area of high demand but low supply.

Councillor Richard Beacham, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy & Regeneration commented:

"The feedback we receive will help to shape this exciting project. The City Gateway regeneration project is part of Chester's One City Plan, and over the coming years it will transform the area around Chester Railway Station into a high-quality new destination for sustainable living and working."

Peter Rowe, Senior Development Manager at LCR, added:

“Over the next 10 years, this new Strategic Regeneration Framework will help the Council achieve its ambitions for The Gateway to deliver new homes, jobs, community assets, and public realm and transport improvements.

“The Gateway provides a major opportunity to deliver transformative change here in Chester. We’ve been delighted with the response to the consultation so far. To ensure we take every opportunity of this investment, we want to hear more ideas and thoughts from the community, so please do take the time to complete our survey and help inform the final Strategic Regeneration Framework.”

Anyone with queries about the SRF or consultation should contact:

0800 089 0361

...or email 

srfconsultation@chestercitygateway.co.uk

Robin Dobson, Group Property Director at Network Rail, said: “Network Rail is working in partnership with key stakeholders on how the framework can unlock this strategic regeneration opportunity for Chester. Future plans would transform the area surrounding the station and at the same time continue to highlight the pivotal role the railway can play in unlocking sites such as these to deliver lasting growth and community benefit for both the city and the wider region.”