Plans for Chester site is ‘19th century masterplan’

Oct 24 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

PLANS to transform a former petrol station in a conservation area close to Chester city centre would “complete the masterplan of a 19th-century city architect”.

If given the go-ahead, the proposals would see the hotel developed, next to St Werburgh’s Church, and the creation of up to 60 jobs in the hotel and associated businesses.

As late as 1906, Chester architect and developer John Douglas made proposals for the development of the site, but never managed to acquire the land which is now within Chester’s conservation area.

But Bill Griffiths, director of BP Assets Ltd which now controls the site, said they have worked closely with Chester city council, Chester architects Tweed Nuttall Warburton, archaeologists Gifford and historic buildings advisor, Peter de Figueiredo, to develop their scheme.

He said: “Together, we have designed a building that will respect and complement the historic splendour of Grosvenor Park Road. In a highly prominent location on Chester’s inner ring road and gateway to Grosvenor Park, the proposals would see the transformation of an overgrown and neglected site into a contemporary but subtle building.

“The hotel will bridge the landmark scale and dominance of St Werburgh’s Church with the two and three-storey buildings on Grosvenor Park Road, Foregate Street, Union Street and Bath Street.”

Under the proposals, the hotel would be created from carefully considered materials to match the surrounding architecture.

Red brick, similar to the red Ruabon used by Douglas, will be used with terracotta rain-screen cladding and sandstone details.

At street level, sandstone will complement St Werburgh’s own elevations, and glazing will provide an active and lively street frontage.

Three semi-mature trees will also be planted along the paving outside the hotel, to recapture the avenue of trees planted originally by the first Duke of Westminster.

Historic buildings advisor Peter de Figueiredo said the development would “preserve and enhance the character of the conservation area”.

He said: “There would be no harmful overall impact on the setting of listed buildings and the quality of the public realm would be enhanced.”

The 87-bedroom hotel would be built for the French hotel operator Accor, under its Ibis brand.

Plans, computer generated images and a model of the proposed hotel can be viewed at the planning offices.

liammurphy