PLANS for a seven-storey block of flats in Chester city centre, to feature 133 new apartments, have been given the go-ahead by Cheshire West and Chester Council.
The canalside development, on a currently vacant car park off Charterhall Drive and next to the Shot Tower developments, could now see work begin before planning permission expires in April 2024.
Planning consultants Turley Heritage, on behalf of PL City Place Ltd, say the development "presents the opportunity to enhance the setting of Chester Canal Conservation Area and Boughton Canalside Conservation Area and the Grade II* Leadworks and Shot Tower."
An artist's impression of the revised look for the 133-apartment block by the canal. Source: Planning document.
The plans would provide 57 one-bedroom flats and 76 two-bedroom flats, 10 electric vehicle charging points as part of a 92-space car park and cycle storage for 134 spaces.
Since submitting the proposal, developers have tweaked the design of what the apartment block would look like, with design principles inspired by the old Leadworks and current Steam Mill site.
That means the exterior will now be a red brick texture, while the roof will be articulated rather than flat.
An artist's impression of the revised look for the 133-apartment block by the canal. Source: Planning document.
The plans were given permission despite a number of objections from residents living in neighbouring apartment blocks, who expressed concerns the new development would overlook and overshadow their home, and lead to a loss of daylight entering their apartment.
City Place had previously received planning permission in 2014 for a mixed-use development on the site, comprising of "new buildings accommodating offices, dwellings, shops, financial and professional services, restaurants and cafes, drinking establishments, hot food takeaways, non-residential institutions, assembly and leisure, access, car parking, servicing and landscaping", and the developers say the apartment block forms the residential element of this.
One feature of the apartment block would be photovoltaic solar panels installed, in order to generate a substantial percentage of the building's energy requirements.
An artist's impression of the revised look for the 133-apartment block by the canal. Source: Planning document.
A high-quality communal garden/terrace area would be provided at first floor level for future occupiers and would include planting, seating, and space for recreation.
The development would have a stepped height, "so as to not compete with the neighbouring Shot Tower".
The developers added they were aware that, due to the site's industrial legacy, there was a "strong potential for ground contamination" and a site investigation had identified "elevated levels of heavy metals".
As part of the development, the applicants say a "detailed remediation strategy will be submitted to the council...to ensure no unacceptable risk to the environment or human health."
The developers conclude the apartments would: "would provide 133 apartments within a highly sustainable location and would complement the existing offering of modern purpose-built residential accommodation in Chester city centre."
Cheshire West and Chester Council gave the development the go-ahead, subject to a number of conditions, including demonstrating that the development would not adversely affect the nearby canal and provision of car/cycle parking and electric vehicle charging.
Richard Cook, Group Development Director for Clarion Housing Group, said: “Our plans to regenerate this prime site in Chester will deliver a mixed-tenure scheme and provide a range of homes that the city desperately needs.
“We are passionate about creating sustainable and mixed-tenure communities which boost local economies and deliver vital affordable homes for local people. We look forward to seeing our vision for this site become a reality.”
David Fairclough, Director at Progressive Living Developments, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Latimer on bringing forward this exciting and much needed development of high-quality homes in the heart of Chester city centre. The location and proposed design suggests that the regeneration of this site will be hugely successful, and we look forward to being involved in the delivery of such a scheme.
“Alongside ourselves and Latimer is a supporting team of expert consultants who have worked incredibly hard in order for us to reach this milestone. In particular we would like to mention AHR, Turley, Exterior Architecture, ROC, Zerum, Biora, Curtins and Miller Goodall .”
The approved planning application will now enable the scheme to progress, starting with the appointment of a build contractor. Work on the scheme is expected to begin this year.
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