Housing plan for Chester Northgate Phase 2 to be stepped up

Previously we reported on Cheshire West and Chester Council looking to entice multi-million-pound investors into the city centre for Northgate Phase 2, when they showcased what they had to offer at the UK's Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds.

CWaC has previously indicated it is seeking external funding for Northgate Phase 2, having previously put tens of millions of pounds into making Phase 1 – which included Storyhouse, the New Chester Market and car park, Picturehouse Cinema and several restaurants and office spaces – a reality.

The area of Chester Northgate Phase 2.

Now the local authority's cabinet will be asked to approve the process to engage a developer partner, with a view to increasing the number of homes in the city centre.

Northgate Phase 2 is for the development of new high-quality homes and improved connectivity of the site to the existing Northgate development and to the wider city centre. The development would also include high quality public spaces plus associated uses to support the vitality and viability of the scheme.

Buildings included in this phase are the former Forum shopping centre and offices, Hamilton House, Merchant House, Goldsmith House and former Gateway Theatre, with parts of these buildings having now lain empty for a few years.

The former Forum Shopping Centre.

Covering the size of almost three football pitches, the potential of the site to create a new residential community and breathe new life in the heart of the historic city centre.

The local authority says having homes in the heart of the city would generate economic growth and support businesses, provide sustainable city centre living and inclusivity of place. It would also house residents close to places of work, shops and entertainment, cutting down on the carbon footprint.

Cllr Nathan Pardoe, cabinet member for inclusive economy, regeneration and digital transformation, said: “This is the exciting next chapter in the story of Northgate.

Hamilton House, Chester.

"The next phase of development will build on the successes of Storyhouse and the new market by creating a new residential living quarter in the thriving heart of Chester. Delivering on the ambitions of the One City Plan, we will create high-quality homes, support local businesses and grow our local economy by creating a new community of residents living in the city centre.

“The council will begin engaging with a preferred development partner in early 2025, and will continue to work in partnership with key stakeholders through the One City Plan working groups to ensure that this next phase of development meets the needs of Chester.”

The procurement route will be a fully public contract regulations compliant process, which would aim to secure a partner with a good track record in local authority partnering, development expertise and strong financial standing to form a long-term collaborative relationship with the council to deliver the best outcome for the site.

Goldsmith House, Chester.

It is anticipated that the procurement exercise will be a two-stage process: the initial stage takes the council through soft market testing to the pre-development agreement, and the second stage will take the council to the development agreement.

For more information on the Chester Northgate development, visit https://chesternorthgate.com/