A CAMPAIGNER has called on building work on Barons Quay to be halted so the council can look into whether it could modify the vacant units into riverside apartments.

Andrew Needham, chairman of Cheshire Campaign Rural England (CPRE), told the Guardian that too much emphasis has been put into the retail element of Barons Quay.

Mr Needham said CPRE believe regeneration should have a greater proportion of residential.

The former Conservative county councillor said the original vision for the regeneration of Northwich placed an emphasis on riverside homes.

Mr Needham said: “The riverside was meant to be a strong feature of the Barons Quay development.

“There was supposed to be much more emphasis in the residential side of it. That was the dream, to live by the river.”

The CPRE chairman also said the council need a ‘contingency plan’ if they are unable to find tenants for the empty units in Barons Quay.

He suggested converting some of them into riverside apartments.

“They ought to call a halt on building before they can bring in an architect to see modify the design, particularly how they can be converted into apartments,” he said. “There needs to be a contingency plan.”

Mr Needham said council plans to build flats in Weaver Square is a step in the right direction, although CPRE believe they should be affordable homes.

Cllr Sam Naylor, CWAC councillor for Winnington and Castle, said more focus should have been made on making the riverside a focal point of the Barons Quay development.

He said: “Work should have been done around Barons Quay to make it attractive for people to come to the town.

“Northwich is renowned for its river. We have so many treasures and people don’t know about them. Northwich and Winsford need to promote them.”

Cllr Naylor urged residents to stay positive, and welcomed further ideas to help shape the town’s future.

He said: “It’s about how we can add value to Northwich. I am getting a bit cheesed off with this perception that CWAC is sitting on its hands doing nothing to get people into Barons Quay.

“They are working their socks off to get people in there. Hopefully when it is finished we are going to get some positive ideas. We need ideas.”