CONSERVATION efforts spanning half a decade have been reinforced following a visit to Westminster.

Four executive members of Chester Civic Trust, ex-MP Christine Russell, former city council leader David Evans, Martin Meredith and Stephen Langtree, attended a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Civic Societies in Parliament.

They were there for the launch of the Civic Voice report 'The Future of Our Conservation Areas' which has particular relevance to Chester on the 50th anniversary of the all-important Donald Insall report which set the stage for Chester's pioneering conservation efforts.

The group also met with Chester MP Chris Matheson and discussed their concerns about the planned Wrexham Road development, pressures on the local authority's planning and conservation staff and how the Civic Trust could increase its influence on the city.