New market and leisure hub outlined in Northwich regeneration plans

A new market, riverside boardwalks, water taxis, outdoor leisure hub and improved public transport links are all highlighted in a new Northwich Development Framework, which sets out what the council calls a ‘comprehensive vision’ for the regeneration and growth of the town over the next decade and beyond.

The framework - which is recommended for approval by Cheshire West’s ruling cabinet on Wednesday - has been in development for several years, with civic engineering firm Planit-IE being appointed last August to take it forward.

Following a series of consultations and what it called ‘data-led’ research, it has now produced a range of recommendations.

Impression of how the new developments could look. Image from framework document by Planit-IE (Image: PR)

The strategy is broken down into two parts. The first is a ‘spatial framework’ which looks at how future developments across the town centre will complement each other. This also includes a section on reducing flood risk.

The second aspect focusses on the design aspect of five specific areas of the town - Barons Quay Riverside, Lower Witton Street and Weaver Way. Upper Witton Street, The Bull Ring and Weaver Square.

The framework includes:

• Enhanced water experience. Initiatives such as a leisure hub, board-walks, landing jetties, bridge connections and re-wilding along the River Weaver could be explored to encourage activity through recreation and active frontages and river walks, while enhancing views out and into Northwich Town Centre.
• Defining a flood risk alleviation strategy for Northwich, which can integrate exemplar solutions and support future development and investment decisions.
• Celebrating green spaces. Creating a leisure hub in the town to encourage outdoor lifestyle.
• A distinctive arrival experience by public transport to enhance connections to the town centre and enhancing and improving public transport connections from Northwich and Hartford train stations into the town centre. This would also include improving the bus hub entrance for pedestrians and cyclists into Northwich town centre.
• Distinctive gateways to mark the arrival into Northwich.
• Celebrating heritage assets and the history of Northwich through art and public realm initiatives.
• Repairing the Chester Way severance to encourage movement north and south.

The report added: “The arrival experience to Northwich lets the town centre down.

"Big box buildings, supermarkets and large areas of windswept car parks create a severance and disconnect to the historic core of the town. Chester Road is a predominant severance, restricting north south connectivity.”

The report said that the best of Northwich's heritage assets are ‘hidden from view’.

It added: “A series of improvements at key gateways will create an attractive arrival experience. The re-development of Weaver Square presents an opportunity to reconfigure and enhance this key arrival point.

“Whilst from an operational perspective it is agreed that the bus hub should be retained on the highway, there is significant scope to improve the look and feel of the area around it delivering improved shelters, better wayfinding and a greener, safer environment.”

While the framework does not set out any new investment, it is intended to act as a guide for future developments in terms of how they link together and contribute to the town’s overall future look.

It said the council’s role will be as a 'facilitator, enabler and landowner' rather than principal funder of the schemes set out in it.

The report added: “As a first phase in delivery, the council is committed to focusing on its own assets such as Barons Quay and Weaver Square, with options for a new market offer being explored.

“It will, however, also work with its partners and potential investors to realise the development potential of other vacant sites within or on the edge of the town centre, to make a positive impact on the town centre offer and to generate additional footfall in the town.”