Go-ahead for Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Chester

The proposed 190-bed Courtyard by Marriott hotel, with self-contained restaurant and retail space on the ground floor, was rubber stamped by Cheshire West and Chester Council last week.

The hotel site, off Queens Road, lies within the commercial office-led 'Central Business District' development known as City Place.

Phase one of the scheme by Muse Developments, who have worked in conjunction with the local authority, saw the construction of a new office building – the 93% let One City Place – which opened back in 2016.

The next stage will now see the erection of the hotel, while outline permission remains in place for mixed-use development across the remainder of the site, which includes more offices as well as homes, shops, restaurants and cafes, drinking establishments and hot food takeaways.

In his report recommending approval for the hotel development, despite the application site being allocated for office use, council case officer Steven Holmes states: "In a broad sense, although it would not deliver an employment (office) use, the proposed development would generate inward investment and create 40 full-time jobs.

How the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Chester will look.

"This would have a positive impact on the local economy. The development would also support the visitor economy within Chester.

"It is not considered that the loss of the allocated land would undermine the delivery of the remainder of the employment allocation and may act as a catalyst instead.

"While demand for high quality office space in Chester has been high in the past, presently, the likelihood of office development being delivered on the site appears low.

"The current economic climate suggests that demand may contract further. Allowing the proposed development on the site would stimulate and enhance Chester's commercial offer and its economic growth.

"On balance, it is considered that the benefits of the proposed development would outweigh the identified policy conflict and that the application can be supported."

Two responses were received from neighbouring occupiers who raised concerns that the development would lead to an "unacceptable increase", adversely affect television signals, increase levels of noise, result in loss of light to surrounding properties, and have an adverse impact upon drainage.

The officer's report concedes that the development would cause "some harm" to the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers.

However, it states: "A degree of harm to the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers was also identified as part of the approval of the outline planning permission.

"The building would be positioned closer to facing windows than as approved through the outline planning permission, but it is not considered that the additional harm which would be generated would significantly alter the planning balance identified on the earlier scheme, and that it would be outweighed by the benefits."

The design and access statement submitted on behalf of Muse Developments earlier this year states: "Their aim is to create a world class gateway experience and public realm space helping Chester to grow economically by creating a new Central Business District.

"Although there is an overall masterplan for the development, each phase is to be individually designed and is to adopt its own character creating an environment that allows new architecture to be revealed."