New plans for Chester Northgate development
- Published
Plans to redevelop part of Chester city centre have been resurrected by the council after earlier proposals faltered because of the recession.
Chester's council and developer ING had been forced to drop £460m plans to redevelop the Northgate quarter when they became "financially unviable".
ING has agreed to draw up new more cost-effective plans in consultation with local groups.
The council said a planning application could be submitted within 12 months.
'Not suitable'
Cheshire West and Chester Council leader Mike Jones said the council suggested at an executive meeting it could drop its request for a performing arts centre within the scheme.
"The arts centre was one of the elements of the first scheme that made it unviable and it would have been a very small space and not suitable for this city's needs," he said.
"We're also considering asking the market traders if they would like a new venue so that their existing location can be redeveloped.
"All of these ideas will be discussed in detail with local people and businesses, so that the new development agreement responds to what the city needs and wants," said Mr Jones.