MONEY is a big issue behind the success or failure of a redevelopment project like Baron’s Quay.

The recession was one of the major factors behind the collapse of Northwich Vision, which had been in the pipeline for decades.

The Vision resulted in the completion of the ambitious mines stabilisation project but folded when faced with the tough economic climate and local government reorganisation.

Finances for the new masterplan rest upon Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC), which owns the land, and the new supermarket, which is key to the whole development.

Geoff Hope-Terry said: “Ideally I would love the council to take it right the way through and take control then any financial benefit can be reinvested, but there are certain risks in that.

“Built in are a number of points where the council can ask if it wants to continue to run it or bring in a partner, but it wouldn’t be like the partnership with Wilson Bowden.”

He added: “If the council takes the lead or works with a partner, it has to be a commercial development.

“The plan shows how it can be commercially viable.

“Another aspect to the money is that part of the scheme is to have food retail, a supermarket.

“In money terms, the supermarket will be the main provider of money to do the other things to help regeneration. If we don’t have one, we don’t have the other.”

The development framework for Baron’s Quay will be officially launched at a public meeting on Tuesday, July 19.

The meeting will take place at Northwich Memorial Hall, in Chesterway, from 2pm.

An exhibition of the draft plans and artists’ impressions can be viewed at the memorial hall and at Northwich Information Centre from July 19 to the end of August.