The people of Chester have come out in force to tell city chiefs how they see their city evolving and developing over the next 15 years.
More than 1,200 responses were received during the recent public consultation on the draft One City Plan, which aims to recreate Chester as a world-class city by 2027.
During the three-month consultation, residents, businesses and other stakeholders were invited to contribute their thoughts and ideas on the 50-page mandate for change.
More than 700 people attended a variety of consultation events, including workshops, drop-in information sessions, network events and one-to-one discussions.
Chester Renaissance and Cheshire West and Chester Council are now reviewing all responses in order to create a final draft of the plan, expected in the New Year.
Feedback was invited in four areas identified as key to Chester’s future – People and Communities, Business and Investment, Living City and Movement and Accessibility.
Themes emerging from the consultation include:
- Invest in the city’s heritage assets
- Present the Rows in a more positive manner
- Create more activities on or around the river
- Improve pedestrian routes and remove the subways
- Generate a strong enterprise and business culture
- Improve maintenance and tidiness of the city centre
- Diversify activities including the cultural offers in the city, particularly in the evenings
Professor Steven Broomhead, Chairman of Chester Renaissance, said: “We would like to extend our thanks to everyone who took the time to participate in the consultation and share their views and ideas.
“It is vital that the people of Chester are at the heart of this exciting vision and programme for the future of their city.
“The One City Plan will be a much-improved strategy and set of actions as a result of this active and passionate engagement.”
The final draft is expected to be presented to Chester Renaissance Board and the Council’s Executive for approval in the early new year.
Councillor Herbert Manley, Executive Member for Prosperity, said: “I am delighted that the people of Chester have shown how strongly they support this exciting new chapter in the city’s history.
“Their feedback is crucial to shaping the detail of the One City Plan, and we look forward to sharing the final document with our communities in the New Year.”