Update 4 Feb 2014 - Planning Application Unanimously REFUSED by Planning Committee - Design not befitting surroundings. Redrow Homes (NW) have resubmitted PLANS to Cheshire West and Chester Council to demolish the former Lloyds Banking Group buildings in Handbridge and build 33 homes. This application is due to be decided by the Planning Committee at 4pm onwards on 4 Feb 2014 at the HQ Building. Comments need to be made to the planning department by 3 Feb 2014. Planning application 13/04048/FUL can be found here. Planning officer's report here. Link to local press coverage: Chester First/Chester Standard Chester Chronicle Chester Chronicle 2 Despite the World War 2 Bunker Complex being of Regional importance neither English Heritage nor CW&C have agreed to seek Listed status which would offer some hope of the Bunker Complex being saved. Under this scheme the entire complex will be filled in with only the access points being retained with some interpretation panels describing the bunkers.
Nick Howard, CW&C Planning Officer said 'The Council undertook an extensive consultation exercise in respect of the bunkers and although it was agreed that it would be a good visitor attraction the scheme would be unviable due to public liability and the cost of renovating the complex. Officers have explored the possibility of listing the complex however it is unlikely to be successful as English Heritage consider the complex is of regional importance but not of national importance. Therefore the proposal is to infill the complex in a material that could be removed at a later date. Therefore the complex would not be lost forever.' Regarding the appearance of the riverside residential blocks, he added 'the scale, design and materials are an important element. I have placed a condition requiring materials to be submitted before commencement.'
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