THE public consultation period for the Chester City Gateway regeneration project is set to close this week.

Residents and businesses will be able to provide feedback on the draft 'Strategic Regeneration Framework' (SRF) until Friday, February 3. Over 400 people have attended a series of drop-in consultation event and residents are still able to provide feedback via the project's website.

The draft SRF sets out the strategic vision, key initiatives, and overarching principles for the Chester City Gateway, with the primary focus the area immediately surrounding Chester Railway Station. The area is defined by seven 'Places' referred to in the Volume 1: Regeneration Vision literature as; Station Square, Queens Road, Hoole Way Edge, Flookersbrook, Lightfoot Street West, Lightfoot Street East and Northgate Links.

The SRF will be used to attract inward investment, support future funding bids and inform future planning applications.

The four-week public consultation was launched by a partnership between Cheshire West and Chester Council, Network Rail and the placemaking and regeneration expert LCR, on a project which will shape future development within the regeneration area over the next decade.

Chester and District Standard: A new pedestrian and cycle bridge is one of the plans highlighted in the SRF.A new pedestrian and cycle bridge is one of the plans highlighted in the SRF. (Image: Cheshire West and Chester Council)

The main elements of the framework are listed as:

  • An improved Chester Railway Station experience - creating an enhanced gateway into the city.
  • Supporting greater accessibility and prioritisation of walking and cycling – introducing a new pedestrian and cycle bridge, improved walking and cycling routes to create an integrated transport hub.
  • Consolidating and improving car parking – positioning car parking to better reflect the needs of station users.
  • Delivering high quality placemaking and public realm – creating a place where people want to live, spend time or work. Six areas have been selected within the Gateway zone, including City Road and Hoole Way, where more green spaces will be created.
  • Meeting local housing need – diversifying the housing offer for local people in an area of high demand but low supply. The draft SRF states that this could see up to 600 new homes created with a mixture of different housing types.

Councillor Richard Beacham, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy & Regeneration commented: "The feedback we receive will help to shape this exciting project. The City Gateway regeneration project is part of Chester's One City Plan, and over the coming years it will transform the area around Chester Railway Station into a high-quality new destination for sustainable living and working."

Peter Rowe, Senior Development Manager at LCR, added: "Over the next 10 years, this new Strategic Regeneration Framework will help the Council achieve its ambitions for The Gateway to deliver new homes, jobs, community assets, and public realm and transport improvements.

"The Gateway provides a major opportunity to deliver transformative change here in Chester. We’ve been delighted with the response to the consultation so far. To ensure we take every opportunity of this investment, we want to hear more ideas and thoughts from the community, so please do take the time to complete our survey and help inform the final Strategic Regeneration Framework."

Further information can be found via the project's website. Anyone with queries about the SRF or consultation should contact 0800 089 0361 or email srfconsultation@chestercitygateway.co.uk.