A NEW website detailing the One City Plan for Chester was launched today (Tuesday, October 22) at the Chester Residents’ Association Group Annual Conference.

Cllr Richard Beacham, Cheshire West and Chester Council Deputy Chair and Leader’s Champion for the One City Plan was on hand to launch the site, and update delegates on the plan’s progress.

The One City Plan website can be found at: www.chesteronecityplan.co.uk.

First published in 2012, the One City Plan (OCP) set out a strategic vision and regeneration priorities for the future of Chester and was updated in 2022 following extensive engagement with businesses, residents and stakeholders, resulting in a series of 45 actions to be achieved by 2045.

Since 2012, over fifty projects have been delivered across the city with a combined investment of almost £1 billion; these include major regeneration projects such as Storyhouse, Northgate Phase One and the new Chester Market alongside schemes including the Town Hall Parklet, reopening Chester Castle and investment in Park & Ride facilities.

Delivering the plan are five working groups that build upon existing networks and established groups, covering:  Being In, Connecting, Experiencing, Making and Visiting Chester. Each group is chaired by a lead partner and includes representatives from the Council and relevant individuals and organisations.

Although there are many projects contributing to the delivery of the OCP, there are five overarching projects:

  • Civic Heart - comprising Town Hall Square, Cathedral, Northgate Phase 2 and St. Werburgh Street, to establish a hub of creativity, performance, events, alfresco, street animation and gatherings right at the heart of the city.
  • Smart Chester - using the power of information and communications technology to enhance city functions, promote economic growth, improve mobility and the quality of life for everyone living, working, learning and visiting the city.
  • City Gateway - enhancing the railway station as a key gateway to the city and sites in the vicinity, plus connectivity into Hoole, Newton, Boughton and beyond.
  • Invest Chester - promoting growth and new investment in Chester to ensure the city can continue to thrive and build on the success of Northgate Phase One.
  • Creative Chester - ensuring creative places are considered within future developments and to recognise the importance of creativity and culture in the development of the city.

Cllr Richard Beacham said: “The One City Plan sets out a vision for how the public, private and community sectors are working together to make Chester a fairer, stronger, and greener city. The new website is like a catalogue of projects and a focal point to celebrate all of the activity that is going on. For me it’s not just about the big things, but about the small incremental changes over time which make our city such a desirable place to live, work, learn, invest and visit. Often this is achieved from the work of small innovative businesses, or community and faith groups and these are the unsung heroes of Chester’s culture and spirit.

“It’s also true that without the One City Plan, transformational projects like Storyhouse, Northgate and the Bus Interchange would never have happened, and as we look to the future and we think about the new History Centre, more housing in the city centre, improved transport infrastructure and future investment from key players like the zoo, the racecourse, the university, the cathedral and the new owners of the Grosvenor shopping centre, it is  clear that as long as there are people in our city who remain committed to a shared vision, working hard together with purpose, then I feel confident that Chester can only keep getting better and better.”

Mike Hogg, Chair of Chester Residents’ Associations Group (CRAG) said: “Chester Residents’ Associations Group was set up in 2019 to enable residents’ associations and their members to work together with key partners, such as the Council, police, university, Chester BID, Pubwatch, voluntary and faith organisations, to make Chester a better place for all.

“The One City Plan provides a framework and set of guidelines alongside and through which CRAG can achieve its objectives to the benefit not only of residents, but also businesses, visitors and all other relevant parties. In particular, CRAG is leading on the One City Plan City Centre Living action point that will help to define ‘what good looks like’ for the city centre’s current and future residents.”