Results in for first Baron's Quay consultation

3:00pm Tuesday 21st August 2012 in News

RESULTS from the first phase of consultation into plans for Baron’s Quay have revealed support for the scheme.

The community was asked for its thoughts on draft plans for the project in May.

A statement released by Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC), working with the Weaver Valley Partnership Board, said the majority of respondents supported proposals for the 25-acre site.

Elements people liked include maximising the relationship with the River Weaver, enhancing the quality of the town centre environment and redeveloping an underused site in a prime location.

Concerns were raised over car parking provision and charging, the tenants of the new units and the proposed supermarket.

Geoff Hope-Terry, chairman of the Weaver Valley Partnership Board, said: “The plans are firming up now as we get closer to the date when we want to put a planning application forward.

“However, it is still important to us that residents have their say so that the final proposals meet as many of the local aspirations for the site as possible.

“Whether people have given their views previously or not, I would urge everyone to look at the latest plans and use the next round of consultation to have their say.”

Clr Amy Mercer-Bailey, from CWAC and Northwich Town Council, said: “A strong theme arising from the consultation was around timescales and delivery, with people wanting to see something happening at Baron’s Quay as soon as possible.

“Delivering this scheme without delay – subject, of course, to the necessary planning permission – is clearly vital to maintaining public confidence in a development which has enormous potential for our town.”

More detailed plans will be put forward for consultation in September and a planning application is expected to be submitted towards the end of the year.

Comments(21)

L Byrne says...
4:03pm Tue 21 Aug 12

The facts about Northwich Town Centre have changed significantly following the recent news about Weaver Square shopping centre.

Common sense dictates that this should mean a pause and review of the Baron's Quay proposal to ensure that it is still the most appropriate solution and will not waste tax payers money.

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Daniel18 says...
7:09pm Tue 21 Aug 12

The Baron's Quay development still needs to go ahead, the fact is that none of the shops in Weaver Square are of sufficient size for any major retail outlets - which is why it is empty.

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WHS says...
7:55pm Tue 21 Aug 12

It is empty because we are in a recession and as I understand it the only big retail outlet will be Waitrose who could take over the old car sales building at the top of the town. This new development will simply kill the town centre which is already badly wounded.
WHS.

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L Byrne says...
7:56pm Tue 21 Aug 12

Daniel18

Could you please provide a few examples of these 'major retail outlets' that are apparently gagging to move into large premises in Northwich.

It would help people like me who regularly visit the town understand what is going on and, I guess, it would be of interest to shop owners currently fighting to earn a living there
to know who their future competition might be.

Come to think of it, I seem to remember several of the big names moving out over the past few years. There was Barratt's Shoes, Adams Childrens Shop, La Sensa and The Early Centre and Argos to name a few.

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WHS says...
8:09pm Tue 21 Aug 12

Well said L Byrne, this is a major issue that needs re-thinking.
WHS.

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GOFFY says...
9:50pm Tue 21 Aug 12

Life style center on the memorial hall and courthouse site, the Baron's Quay development at what cost who knows, surely it would make more sense to spend some money on regenerating the town center and return it to the vibrant place it used to be, which in turn would bring the shoppers back. Once again we have Geoff Hope Terry telling us how great it will when the new planning application is put forward, and then we have Amy Mercer Bailey one of our local Councillors making a statement and I quote “Delivering this scheme without delay – subject, of course, to the necessary planning permission – is clearly vital to maintaining public confidence in a development which has enormous potential for our town.”
The only potential our town needs is to get the shops open and this should be at the expense of a Life style center and the Barons Quay Development.

Goffy

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L Byrne says...
9:05pm Wed 22 Aug 12

Hi Daniel18

Your silence is very revealing. We can now reasonably presume that your claim that there are 'major retailers' out there eager to move into Northwich is tosh. There are none. The clue is that so many shops have closed in Northwich because of a shortage of customers with money to spend.

I have yet to meet a single ordinary Northwich resident who does not think that the current Baron's Quay scheme is misguided . Many say that it is a fantasy trip for those directly involved. A band wagon that appears unstoppable even though a big hole has appeared in the road in front of it.

Will the powers that be ever listen to the plea by many that whatever funds are available should be directed towards rebuilding and restoring the town centre that we already have and particularly supporting the existing independent traders that give the place an identity which could attract
more shoppers and visitors?

Will they heck!

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basilcat says...
9:27pm Wed 22 Aug 12

Maybe some of the units are too small in Weaver Square, but as there are so many empty side by side it wouldn't be so hard to knock 2 or 3 together into one.

How many years have we been talking about the 'Northwich Vision'? All hot air, while money is seemingly being poured down the drain (or should that be mines!) on expensive consultation exercises and artists impressions. The news a few weeks ago that the mines stabilisation project was still incomplete and needing more money is another shocker - and all the while the heart of town has been left to slowly die with little or no investment.

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shiney1 says...
8:49pm Thu 23 Aug 12

I have lived in northwich for 16 years in that time i have seen a rapid decline in northwich as a whole.This is due to the councils stupid decision making.The Barons key project /Northwich vision is a small group of idiots who for some reason think it will change a once lovely town into a ovepriced retail park with no soul.I have seen this happen to my home town .It all sounds like brown envelopes to me if you know what i mean.So why dont the council sort out the town they allready have and actually spend some money on doing it up. As for weaver square compulsory purchase order !!! like the rest of the land purchased by the northwich vision.Get a grip dont listen to council lies just stop and look and you will see .

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WHS says...
8:36am Fri 24 Aug 12

Democracy? Might as well be living in the old Soviet Union for all the attention politicians pay to their constituents. "Big Money" always wins sadly
WHS.

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markust says...
5:37pm Fri 24 Aug 12

It's no coincidence that the centre has declined slowly ever since the move of the towns two football clubs out of town. With only one left in the vicinity it's time for the council to look at facilities in the centre for both teams to move closer and bring the previous level of 1000 fans a week that both clubs were at prior to moving back into the town centre to spend in the shops and pubs.

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WHS says...
7:08pm Fri 24 Aug 12

This is another desperate Vics fan hoping the Council will bail them out and has no place in this discussion.
WHS.

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markust says...
11:30am Sat 25 Aug 12

In no way am I hoping the council bail out Vics, that would be a massive waste of tax payers money, but if you're trying to tell me that removing 1000 people a weekend from the town centre has had no effect on the pubs/shops then quite frankly you are mad!

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tracy manfredi says...
12:48pm Sat 25 Aug 12

Actually I agree that VICs and Witton should be relocated & for that co-located in Northwich possibly at the top of town/witton street where there are large derilict buildings on the approach to Northwich - on the old barbers site, which currently just emphasises the poor state of repair of Northwich. Suitably designed and master planning, alongside the leisure complex and barons quay and riverside development the move could bring further visitors and residents into Northwich town centre. Furthermore the town does need the infrastructure particularly if it is to support the numerous housing developments passed or planned in the local strategic housing plan for the region. I suggest people act constructively to address the situation. Write to the planners, local councillors and MPs and have their input to the consultations after all that's why they are held. People need to actively act and participate in the consultations if you want positive change to be realised.

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WHS says...
1:37pm Sat 25 Aug 12

Excuse me, but when was the last time Witton or Vics actually played in the Northwich area? They have been in Wincham for several years, long before the town centre started to deteriorate Witton are doing very nicely thank you without having to share with a club who have for many years been ripping off investors, suppliers, the council and the tax man. The town does not need a football club playing in town one or two days a week, it needs investment, subsidised rents and a commitment by the council to give it their wholehearted support and for them to forget about this "Pie in the Sky" Baron's Quay project that even if it comes to fruition will simply ensure the total demise of the town centre. I repeat, the Witton and Vics issue has NO place in this discussion.
WHS.

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markust says...
9:19pm Sat 25 Aug 12

Everything that has taken people spending money on the high street should be part of this discussion. The old cinema Northwich should also be part of this discussion too! Right now you have to go to Runcorn or Ellesmere Port to watch a film, previously people from all over mid Cheshire would be going to Northwich town centre.

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WHS says...
10:11pm Sat 25 Aug 12

Now the cinema is a totally different matter. It was used every day bar Sunday and people did buy the odd bag of sweets before going in and maybe had a pint or two afterwards or even a meal but as for using the shops? No, I don't think so any more than football supporters did. You are missing the point, this is about the Baron's Quay development and its adverse effect on the town centre not the fact that we now effectively have only one football team in the area. (Barnton, Lostock excepted). We do need a cinema it's true but having one won't help the shops in the town.
WHS.

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tracy manfredi says...
12:35pm Sun 26 Aug 12

The point is there is a Northwich vision, a Vision for a better town and services, leisure tourism and shops for residents, the cinema, leisure complex, retail and football clubs given the current state should now be combined and planned appropriately so that the right investment can be placed in the right project without detriment to the whole vision. Barons Quay, weaver Square, VICs, Witton (given plans for housing development nearby), cinema and lifestyle complex, housing developments etc are all relevant unless Northwich residents want a very disjointed piecemeal solution that won't be sustainable over the longterm.

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WHS says...
8:15pm Sun 26 Aug 12

Get it into your head, Vics no longer exist as a viable financial entity, Witton don't need them and the council and "Joe Public" cannot afford them. As for your other points, fair enough. Witton don't HAVE to move, the don't HAVE to do anything, they are doing very nicely already thank you. If the Council want to incorporate Witton into the vision, fine, but NOT with Vics under ANY circumstances.
WHS.
WHS

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L Byrne says...
9:09pm Sun 26 Aug 12

Getting back to the original story; does anybody know who pulls Mr Hope-Terry's strings?

He seems to be very excited about his plans 'firming up'. How can we get the message through that the demise of Weaver Square potentially changes everything and could be an opportunity to redevelop the centre of the town in a way that the majority of people actually want?

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WHS says...
10:49pm Sun 26 Aug 12

At last!! This thread is finally back on track.
WHS.

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