Long-awaited plans to redevelop the Northgate area of Chester city centre as part of a £300m scheme incorporating new retail, restaurant and leisure facilities, which is expected to generate more than 1,000 jobs, have been given the green light.

A host of applications related to the Chester Northgate Scheme (pictured) have been approved by Cheshire West & Chester Council's planning committee. This includes a hybrid application to redevelop a 14.3-acre site within the city walls bounded by Hunter Street to the north, Northgate Street to the east, Watergate Street to the south and St Martin's Way to the west.

The site earmarked for regeneration is currently occupied by a range of buildings including the town hall, Hunter Street bus station, a library, the former Gateway Theatre, and several office buildings.

The proposed retail-led mixed-use redevelopment comprises: retail space, commercial space including a cinema; cafes; restaurants; a replacement hotel; a replacement market; public spaces; homes; offices; and external works to the town hall and other listed buildings.

The scheme is expected to be delivered in three phases. The first two phases have been approved in full while the third phase has secured outline approval.

Plans to redevelop the Northgate area of Chester city centre were originally submitted in June 2016. It was claimed that the scheme would create approximately 500,000 sq ft of new retail, restaurant and leisure facilities and generate more than 1,000 jobs.

Speaking at the time, Cheshire West and Chester Council leader Samantha Dixon said: "This application marks an important milestone in the development of a scheme that will revitalise the Northgate area of the city. Northgate has the potential to mark a step change improvement in what Chester has to offer residents and visitors alike and will help create over 1,000 new job opportunities."

David Lewis, managing director of the council's appointed development manager Rivington Land, added: "We are at a point where we have sufficient confidence in the commercial market prospects of the Northgate Scheme to advise the council to make this application for a major redevelopment of the city centre. 

"We have worked hard with the council and consultees to fine tune the detailed design of Chester Northgate to ensure the best possible fit with the city's needs and the demands of retailers and other commercial interests."

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