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More about our projects

More about our projects

Modern residential building in Chester

Welcome to
the Chester One
City Plan

Contact us

More about our projects

Here's the story so far...

First published in 2012, the One City Plan set
out a strategic vision and regeneration priorities for the future of Chester over a 15-year period.

What is it?
And why are people talking about it

Modern residential building in Chester

The vision for a
modern,
vibrant city

OCP47 Shot Tower Apartments.jpg
CN22031p2_City-058_Small.jpg

Welcome
to the One City Plan

Working groups

Contact us
CN22031p2_City-058.jpg

The vision for
a modern, vibrant city

Here's the story so far...

First published in 2012, the One City Plan set out a strategic vision and regeneration priorities for the future of Chester over a 15-year period.

Placemaking

The idea of ‘placemaking’ – the way our cities are designed and how public space is shaped – isn’t new, but it still inspires us. We all benefit from creative placemaking because it has a big impact on our health, wellbeing and even behaviour.

What is it? And why are people talking about it?

Take a trip through Chester city centre

The vision for
a modern,
vibrant city

Decorative header image
Decorative header image
OCP40 Supertrees.jpg
University people.jpg

Progress to date

Image of the River Dee in Chester with a bridge crossing the river
Storyhouse outdoor theatre landscape.jpg

Placemaking

The idea of ‘placemaking’ – the way our cities are designed and how public space is shaped – isn’t new, but it still inspires us. We all benefit from creative placemaking because it has a big impact on our health, wellbeing and even behaviour.

OCP47 Shot Tower Apartments.jpg

Our One City Plan sets out a vision for how the public, private and community sector are working together to make Chester a fairer, stronger, and greener city.

Since its first publication in 2012 and a subsequent update in 2022, the One City Plan has evolved to become our blueprint for collaboration and civic participation in Chester.

One City Plan for Chester

Our One City Plan sets out a vision for how the public, private and community sector are working together to make Chester a fairer, stronger and greener city.

Since its first publication in 2012 and a subsequent update in 2022, the One City Plan has evolved to become our blueprint for collaboration and civic participation in Chester.

Welcome to the One City Plan

Welcome video from Cllr Beecham

OCP29 Storyhouse.jpg

Storyhouse

Our wonderful cultural hub combining a library, theatres, cinema, restaurant, and community and creative social space.

Theatre_Icon_Blue.png

Progress to date

OCP27 Bus Interchange.jpg

Chester Bus Interchange

Improved connectivity for public transport. Resurfacing and shared use of adjacent Frodsham Street, a scheme that won Healthy Street of the Year in 2019.

Bus_Icon_White.png
Enjoying Salad

Dining Quarter

Eateries on Pepper Street such as Piccolino, Opera Grill, Artezzan, Amni, Rio Brazilian and the multi award-winning Twenty-Eight and Chef’s Table.

Food_Icon_Blue.png
OCP48 Chester Market.jpg

Northgate Phase One

Multi award-winning leisure hub, the New Market – which has attracted over 4 million visitors since opening. Multi-storey car-park with EV charging and cycle-hub. Six screen, Picturehouse cinema. Destination cafes, bars and restaurants such as Cozy Club, North Light, Bridge Street Coffee, Zizzi and coming soon…Turtle Bay and BoBo.

Map Pin_Icon_White.png

Welcome to the One City Plan

OT_Kayak-028.jpg
Shopping_Icon_Blue.png

Boughton Corridor

Waitrose, Moxy Hotel and Shot Tower apartments.

OCP42 Moxy Hotel.jpg
Food_Icon_Blue.png

Dining Quarter

Eateries on Pepper Street such as Piccolino, Opera Grill, Artezzan, Amni, Rio Brazilian and the multi award-winning Twenty-Eight and Chef’s Table.

Enjoying Salad
OCP29 Storyhouse.jpg

Storyhouse

Our wonderful cultural hub combining a library, theatres, cinema, restaurant, and community and creative social space.

Theatre_Icon_Blue.png
OCP27 Bus Interchange.jpg

Chester Bus Interchange

Improved connectivity for public transport. Resurfacing and shared use of adjacent Frodsham Street, a scheme that won Healthy Street of the Year in 2019.

Bus_Icon_White.png
OCP27 Bus Interchange.jpg
Bus_Icon_White.png

Chester Bus Interchange

Improved connectivity for public transport. Resurfacing and shared use of adjacent Frodsham Street, a scheme that won Healthy Street of the Year in 2019.

These projects have all created jobs, increased tourism and given Chester a positive economic boost.

See more on our Achievements page. Things were on track, when in 2020 the global Covid-19 pandemic hit. Through the turmoil we saw how people and communities reconnected with their neighbourhoods and cities at a local level. And, we also learnt that – as challenging as those times were – there was recognition of the strength in collaborative partnership work.  

Welcome to the One City Plan

  • At its mid-point, the One City Plan was already overdue a review. The consultation responses from people aged five to 95 years showed public support to build a city for the future, whilst making sure the city of now is the best it can be.

    Taking into account post-pandemic factors – such as changing lifestyles, working patterns and the growth in online shopping – the new One City Plan 2.0 sets out an ambitious new vision, with 45 actions by 2045.

     

    The OCP will be delivered by many people, agencies, organisations, investors and communities. The Council is taking a key governance and supporting role however, the delivery of the OCP is being led and coordinated through five partner-based working groups: Being. Connecting. Experiencing. Making. Visiting. 

OCP42 Moxy Hotel.jpg

Boughton Corridor

Waitrose, Moxy Hotel and Shot Tower apartments.

Shopping_Icon_Blue.png

Welcome video from Cllr Beecham

Welcome to the One City Plan

Welcome to the One City Plan

Enjoying Salad

Dining Quarter

Eateries on Pepper Street such as Piccolino, Opera Grill, Artezzan, Amni, Rio Brazilian and the multi award-winning Twenty-Eight and Chef’s Table.

Food_Icon_Blue.png
  • The One City Plan captures in 45 broad actions the voices of many Chester residents. Whilst it is a plan for economic growth, this is balanced with actions which promote fairness, quality jobs and education opportunities, health, well-being, culture, environmental and heritage protection and civic pride.

    The One City Plan is a flexible living document, it is a break away from traditional place plans and it will take many projects and many years to achieve some of the actions. Indeed, some of them will never be fulfilled as we will always want to be attracting investment, growing our tourism offer or maintaining our heritage for example.

    That's why although I take great pride in the big shiny projects, it is the marginal gains I love most - the incremental changes that carry our city one step forward. You won't always see them, not unless you look hard enough, but they are happening all of the time and as long as there are people in our city who remain committed to a shared vision, working hard together with purpose, then I feel assured that Chester will just keep getting better and better.

    I am very grateful for everyone’s time to date in helping us ensure the OCP can evolve into a dynamic and crucial process, helping to make Chester a fairer, stronger, and greener city by 2045.

Image of Councillor Beecham

The One City Plan is based on the key pillars of compromise, participation, negotiation and collaboration. It is an approach that recognises that not everyone has to be right or wrong, and instead focuses on people's talents and experiences, harnessing the belief that we achieve more together than we can achieve by working alone.

Cllr Richard Beecham, Leader's Champion for the Once City Plan

The One City Plan is a flexible living document, it is a break away from traditional place plans and it will take many projects and many years to achieve some of the actions. Indeed, some of them will never be fulfilled as we will always want to be attracting investment, growing our tourism offer or maintaining our heritage for example. That's why although I take great pride in the big shiny projects, it is the marginal gains I love most - the incremental changes that carry our city one step forward. You won't always see them, not unless you look hard enough, but they are happening all of the time and as long as there are people in our city who remain committed to a shared vision, working hard together with purpose, then I feel assured that Chester will just keep getting better and better. ​I am very grateful for everyone’s time to date in helping us ensure the OCP can evolve into a dynamic and crucial process, helping to make Chester a fairer, stronger, and greener city by 2045.

These projects have all created jobs, increased tourism and given Chester a positive economic boost.

See more on our Achievements page.

Things were on track, when in 2020 the global Covid-19 pandemic hit. Through the turmoil we saw how people and communities reconnected with their neighbourhoods and cities at a local level. And, we also learnt that – as challenging as those times were – there was recognition of the strength in collaborative partnership work.  

OT_Kayak-028.jpg

At its mid-point, the One City Plan was already overdue a review. The consultation responses from people aged five to 95 years showed public support to build a city for the future, whilst making sure the city of now is the best it can be.

Taking into account post-pandemic factors - such as changing lifestyles, working patterns and the growth in online shopping - the new One City Plan 2.0 sets out an ambitious new vision, with 45 actions by 2045.

 

The OCP will be delivered by many people, agencies, organisations, investors and communities. The Council is taking a key governance and supporting role however, the delivery of the OCP is being led and coordinated through five partner-based working groups: Being. Connecting. Experiencing. Making. Visiting.

The One City Plan captures in 45 broad actions the voices of many Chester residents. Whilst it is a plan for economic growth, this is balanced with actions which promote fairness, quality jobs and education opportunities, health, well-being, culture, environmental and heritage protection and civic pride.

The One City Plan is a flexible living document, it is a break away from traditional place plans and it will take many projects and many years to achieve some of the actions. Indeed, some of them will never be fulfilled as we will always want to be attracting investment, growing our tourism offer or maintaining our heritage for example.

That's why although I take great pride in the big shiny projects, it is the marginal gains I love most - the incremental changes that carry our city one step forward. You won't always see them, not unless you look hard enough, but they are happening all of the time and as long as there are people in our city who remain committed to a shared vision, working hard together with purpose, then I feel assured that Chester will just keep getting better and better.

I am very grateful for everyone’s time to date in helping us ensure the OCP can evolve into a dynamic and crucial process, helping to make Chester a fairer, stronger, and greener city by 2045.

The One City Plan is a flexible living document, it is a break away from traditional place plans and it will take many projects and many years to achieve some of the actions. Indeed, some of them will never be fulfilled as we will always want to be attracting investment, growing our tourism offer or maintaining our heritage for example.

That's why although I take great pride in the big shiny projects, it is the marginal gains I love most - the incremental changes that carry our city one step forward. You won't always see them, not unless you look hard enough, but they are happening all of the time and as long as there are people in our city who remain committed to a shared vision, working hard together with purpose, then I feel assured that Chester will just keep getting better and better.

​I am very grateful for everyone’s time to date in helping us ensure the OCP can evolve into a dynamic and crucial process, helping to make Chester a fairer, stronger, and greener city by 2045.

Welcome to the One City Plan

Cllr Richard Beecham, Leader's Champion for the Once City Plan

The One City Plan is based on the key pillars of compromise, participation, negotiation and collaboration. It is an approach that recognises that not everyone has to be right or wrong, and instead focuses on people's talents and experiences, harnessing the belief that we achieve more together than we can achieve by working alone.

Image of Councillor Beecham

The One City Plan captures in 45 broad actions the voices of many Chester residents. Whilst it is a plan for economic growth, this is balanced with actions which promote fairness, quality jobs and education opportunities, health, well-being, culture, environmental and heritage protection and civic pride.

The One City Plan is a flexible living document, it is a break away from traditional place plans and it will take many projects and many years to achieve some of the actions. Indeed, some of them will never be fulfilled as we will always want to be attracting investment, growing our tourism offer or maintaining our heritage for example.

That's why although I take great pride in the big shiny projects, it is the marginal gains I love most - the incremental changes that carry our city one step forward. You won't always see them, not unless you look hard enough, but they are happening all of the time and as long as there are people in our city who remain committed to a shared vision, working hard together with purpose, then I feel assured that Chester will just keep getting better and better.

I am very grateful for everyone’s time to date in helping us ensure the OCP can evolve into a dynamic and crucial process, helping to make Chester a fairer, stronger, and greener city by 2045.

The One City Plan is a flexible living document, it is a break away from traditional place plans and it will take many projects and many years to achieve some of the actions. Indeed, some of them will never be fulfilled as we will always want to be attracting investment, growing our tourism offer or maintaining our heritage for example. That's why although I take great pride in the big shiny projects, it is the marginal gains I love most - the incremental changes that carry our city one step forward. You won't always see them, not unless you look hard enough, but they are happening all of the time and as long as there are people in our city who remain committed to a shared vision, working hard together with purpose, then I feel assured that Chester will just keep getting better and better. ​I am very grateful for everyone’s time to date in helping us ensure the OCP can evolve into a dynamic and crucial process, helping to make Chester a fairer, stronger, and greener city by 2045.

Welcome to the One City Plan

Welcome video from Cllr Beecham

Welcome video from Cllr Beecham

How we will make a difference 

  • We will listen to, and work with, young people as we plan and deliver services.  We will develop a strong youth offer, working with the community sector, libraries, schools and colleges.  We will also develop a new ‘10 by 10’ programme, encouraging young people to try ten exciting things before they are ten years old.

    “We need to improve mental health for younger children and give them more support.”  Join the conversation respondent

  • We will support and challenge our schools to include children with special educational needs and disabilities, upskilling our workforce and co-ordinating specialist support within our schools.

  • We will promote healthy lifestyles and access to playing fields and green spaces.  We will encourage people to breastfeed and vaccinate their children and ensure young people can access preventative services. 

    “We need to improve mental health for younger children and give them more support.”  Join the conversation respondent

  • We will listen to, and work with, young people as we plan and deliver services.  We will develop a strong youth offer, working with the community sector, libraries, schools and colleges.  We will also develop a new ‘10 by 10’ programme, encouraging young people to try ten exciting things before they are ten years old.

    “There should be more investment in young people and their future”  Join the conversation respondent

Why do we need a One City Plan?

The One City Plan defines the overarching vision and direction of travel for the city, under which all projects should sit. It is driven by prioritisation, implementation and delivery.

Why do we need a One City Plan?

The One City Plan defines the overarching vision and direction of travel for the city, under which all projects should sit. It is driven by prioritisation, implementation and delivery.

Proud of its history and confident about its future, Chester is a unique city that prioritises inclusivity and sustainability to ensure a healthier, greener and fairer future for all its people.

The plan also informs the Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework, the statutory planning document for the city.

The updated 2022 plan included a renewed vision and action plan and sets out a new vision for how the public, private and community sector can work together to make Chester a fairer, stronger, and greener city by 2045.

Image of the River Dee in Chester with a bridge crossing the river
Storyhouse outdoor theatre landscape.jpg

Proud of its history and confident about its future, Chester is a unique city that prioritises inclusivity and sustainability to ensure a healthier, greener and fairer future for all its people.

The plan also informs the Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework, the statutory planning document for the city.

The updated 2022 plan included a renewed vision and action plan and sets out a new vision for how the public, private and community sector can work together to make Chester a fairer, stronger, and greener city by 2045.

Image of the River Dee in Chester with a bridge crossing the river
Storyhouse outdoor theatre landscape.jpg
An evening time image of he Chester Rows buildings

What makes
Chester Unique?

The image is a lady dressed in a costume celebrating the Winter Solstice event in Chester

Global heritage

Chester is a global heritage city appealing to residents, tourists, students and businesses alike. A truly unique cathedral and university city, the Roman city of Chester is the county town of Cheshire, in the North West of England and close to the English–Welsh border.

With over half a million people living within 30 minutes, Chester sits within a thriving economic hinterland, including Merseyside, the Wirral, Ellesmere Port Industrial area and North Wales. The Manchester and Liverpool City regional economies are also less than an hour away.

Great location

Due to this enviable position the city and its surrounding catchment has key sector strengths including financial and business professional services, manufacturing and energy, alongside its growing visitor economy.

Chester is also the embodiment of the liveable city. Its neighbourhoods are conveniently accessible and connected to its wider outskirts with sustainable travel networks for walking or cycling. There is a good mix of affordable and executive homes across the city centre, suburbs and nearby rural locations.

Arcade 1sq.jpg

Commitment to regeneration

There is a strong commitment from city leaders to further reinvigorate city centre living, as society has realised the benefits of living and working in beautiful and accessible surroundings in a sustainable way.

Chester is open for business. Investment opportunities are wide and varied from large regeneration projects such as the Chester City Gateway and Northgate Future Phases to numerous smaller scale unique sites. The city combines city living with business potential within a compact and beautiful historical city centre.

What makes
Chester Unique?

Global heritage

Chester is a global heritage city appealing to residents, tourists, students and businesses alike. A truly unique cathedral and university city, the Roman city of Chester is the county town of Cheshire, in the North West of England and close to the English–Welsh border.

With over half a million people living within 30 minutes, Chester sits within a thriving economic hinterland, including Merseyside, the Wirral, Ellesmere Port Industrial area and North Wales. The Manchester and Liverpool City regional economies are also less than an hour away.

Great location

Due to this enviable position the city and its surrounding catchment has key sector strengths including financial and business professional services, manufacturing and energy, alongside its growing visitor economy.

Chester is also the embodiment of the liveable city. Its neighbourhoods are conveniently accessible and connected to its wider outskirts with sustainable travel networks for walking or cycling. There is a good mix of affordable and executive homes across the city centre, suburbs and nearby rural locations.

Commitment to regeneration

There is a strong commitment from city leaders to further reinvigorate city centre living, as society has realised the benefits of living and working in beautiful and accessible surroundings in a sustainable way.

Chester is open for business. Investment opportunities are wide and varied from large regeneration projects such as the Chester City Gateway and Northgate Future Phases to numerous smaller scale unique sites. The city combines city living with business potential within a compact and beautiful historical city centre.

An evening time image of he Chester Rows buildings

What makes
Chester Unique?

The image is a lady dressed in a costume celebrating the Winter Solstice event in Chester

Global heritage

Chester is a global heritage city appealing to residents, tourists, students and businesses alike. A truly unique cathedral and university city, the Roman city of Chester is the county town of Cheshire, in the North West of England and close to the English–Welsh border.

With over half a million people living within 30 minutes, Chester sits within a thriving economic hinterland, including Merseyside, the Wirral, Ellesmere Port Industrial area and North Wales. The Manchester and Liverpool City regional economies are also less than an hour away.

Great location

Due to this enviable position the city and its surrounding catchment has key sector strengths including financial and business professional services, manufacturing and energy, alongside its growing visitor economy.

Chester is also the embodiment of the liveable city. Its neighbourhoods are conveniently accessible and connected to its wider outskirts with sustainable travel networks for walking or cycling. There is a good mix of affordable and executive homes across the city centre, suburbs and nearby rural locations.

Arcade 1sq.jpg

Commitment to regeneration

There is a strong commitment from city leaders to further reinvigorate city centre living, as society has realised the benefits of living and working in beautiful and accessible surroundings in a sustainable way.

Chester is open for business. Investment opportunities are wide and varied from large regeneration projects such as the Chester City Gateway and Northgate Future Phases to numerous smaller scale unique sites. The city combines city living with business potential within a compact and beautiful historical city centre.

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© 2024 Cheshire West and Chester Council

Contact us

© 2024 Cheshire West and Chester Council

© 2024 Cheshire West and Chester Council

© 2024 Cheshire West and Chester Council

What is it? And why are people talking about it

Here's the story so far...

First published in 2012, the One City Plan set out a strategic vision and regeneration priorities for the future of Chester over a
15-year period.

The idea of ‘placemaking’ – the way our cities are designed and how public space is shaped – isn’t new, but it still inspires us.
We all benefit from creative placemaking because it has a big impact on our health, wellbeing and even behaviour.

Picturehouse Cinema, Northgate .jpg

Here's the story so far...

First published in 2012, the One City Plan set out a strategic vision and regeneration priorities for the future of Chester over a 15-year period.

What is it?
And why are people talking about it

OCP47 Shot Tower Apartments.jpg

Placemaking

The idea of ‘placemaking’ – the way our cities are designed and how public space is shaped – isn’t new, but it still inspires us. We all benefit from creative placemaking because it has a big impact on our health, wellbeing and even behaviour.

OCP42 Moxy Hotel.jpg

Boughton Corridor

Waitrose, Moxy Hotel and Shot Tower apartments.

Shopping_Icon_Blue.png
OCP48 Chester Market.jpg

Northgate Phase One

Multi award-winning leisure hub, the New Market – which has attracted over 4 million visitors since opening. Multi-storey car-park with EV charging and cycle-hub. Six screen, Picturehouse cinema. Destination cafes, bars and restaurants such as Cozy Club, North Light, Bridge Street Coffee, Zizzi and coming soon…Turtle Bay and BoBo.

Map Pin_Icon_White.png
OCP48 Northgate Phase 1.jpg
CN22031p2_City-040.jpg

Subscribe to our newsletter

By providing your email address you agree to receiving the Chester One City Plan newsletter, you can unsubscribe at any time, only information related to the Once City Plan will be provided and your email address will not be used for any other purpose.

OT_Kayak-028.jpg

At its mid-point, the One City Plan was already overdue a review. The consultation responses from people aged five to 95 years showed public support to build a city for the future, whilst making sure the city of now is the best it can be.

Taking into account post-pandemic factors – such as changing lifestyles, working patterns and the growth in online shopping – the new One City Plan 2.0 sets out an ambitious new vision, with 45 actions by 2045.

 

In these challenging times, the Council is establishing a new approach passing the decision making to key people with delivery through five working groups: Being. Connecting. Experiencing. Making. Visiting.

These projects have all created jobs, increased tourism and given Chester a positive economic boost.

See more on our Achievements page. Things were on track, when in 2020 the global Covid-19 pandemic hit. Through the turmoil we saw how people and communities reconnected with their neighbourhoods and cities at a local level. And, we also learnt that – as challenging as those times were – there was recognition of the strength in collaborative partnership work.  

Chester Town Hall (1).jpg

Delivering the One City Plan

So, what now? Well, the next exciting chapter in Chester’s story is to deliver Northgate Phase Two. Creating a brand-new neighbourhood, increasing the number of homes in the city centre across an area the size of three football pitches.

 

This offers a once in a generation opportunity to bring new life into the heart of Chester’s historic city-centre.

This means more residents, more visitors, more workers, more people from the suburbs using the
city-centre. It is this that will drive commercial investment. See more on our ongoing One City Plan projects on each Working Group page.

One city. One plan. One future.

Chester Town Hall (1).jpg

Delivering the One City Plan

So, what now? Well, the next exciting chapter in Chester’s story is to deliver Northgate Phase Two. Creating a brand-new neighbourhood, increasing the number of homes in the city centre across an area the size of three football pitches.

 

This offers a once in a generation opportunity to bring new life into the heart of Chester’s historic city-centre.

This means more residents, more visitors, more workers, more people from the suburbs using the city-centre. It is this that will drive commercial investment. See more on our ongoing One City Plan projects on each Working Group page.

One city. One plan. One future.

Progress to date

Chester Town Hall (1).jpg

Delivering the One City Plan

So, what now? Well, the next exciting chapter in Chester’s story is to deliver Northgate Phase Two. Creating a brand-new neighbourhood, increasing the number of homes in the city centre across an area the size of three football pitches.

 

This offers a once in a generation opportunity to bring new life into the heart of Chester’s historic city-centre.

This means more residents, more visitors, more workers, more people from the suburbs using the city-centre. It is this that will drive commercial investment. See more on our ongoing One City Plan projects on each Working Group page.

One city. One plan. One future.

OCP48 Chester Market.jpg
Map Pin_Icon_White.png

Northgate Phase One

Multi award-winning leisure hub, the New Market – which has attracted over 4 million visitors since opening. Multi-storey car-park with EV charging and cycle-hub. Six screen, Picturehouse cinema. Destination cafes, bars and restaurants such as Cozy Club, North Light, Bridge Street Coffee, Zizzi and coming soon…Turtle Bay and BoBo.

OCP29 Storyhouse.jpg
Theatre_Icon_Blue.png

Storyhouse

Our wonderful cultural hub combining a library, theatres, cinema, restaurant, and community and creative social space.

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