Chester Sport and Leisure Park - the way forward

15 March 2007

Leaders at Chester City Council have reaffirmed their commitment to delivering a new sports and leisure park after a cabinet committee decided to put the scheme to the open market.

At a meeting this week of a cabinet sub-committee, with all party representation, a decision was made not to pursue a proposal by developers Steel Tower to deliver the project.

The scheme will still comprise a country park, a new arena, a refurbished city baths and a new fire station at two main sites, mostly on the land occupied by the Northgate Arena and an eight acre site off Sealand Road.

The project also hopes to include an Extra Care housing scheme using the grant from the Department of Health, if this can be accommodated. But the focus of the scheme remains the delivery the sports and leisure components.

The decision to go to the open market was made because the committee felt Steel Tower's proposals for financing the package through peripheral schemes such as affordable housing in Tattenhall and Blacon were not deliverable in planning terms and councillors were not satisfied with progress on the legal and funding framework for the new arena.

Council leader, Councillor Paul Roberts and deputy leader, Councillor John Price, who chairs the sub committee, said: "We are determined to see this fantastic scheme come to fruition in the next few years. As with all large-scale, ambitious projects there are many things to sort out and get right.

"We are keen to closely manage any risks and uncertainties to ensure that we can guarantee these wonderful facilities for Chester.

"In the circumstances the decision to go to the open market was the right one as we will now be able to consider a wide range of options from some of the country's top developers."

Subject to cabinet approval and further details to be delegated to the cabinet committee, the city council will now put the delivery of the Chester sports and leisure park package to the market for developers to make a pitch. Steeltower are welcome to bid for the project along with other developers.

Meanwhile the council will continue to work with Cheshire Fire and Safety Service and Cadsart to deliver the core aspects of the package.

The city council aims to open the new arena by 2010 or 2011.

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