DEVELOPERS behind a 2,500-bedroomed student village plan aim to deliver on-site sporting facilities named after Olympic rower Sir Steve Redgrave.
Bell Developments was yesterday briefing councillors about the scheme, aimed at University of Chester students, which must prove ‘very special circumstances’ to gain permission on green belt between Blacon and Mollington.
Bell, which has now submitted a planning application to Cheshire West and Chester Council, is working with the IMG Group on behalf of its client Sir Steve Redgrave to deliver associated sports facilities for students and the community.
An invitation to a media event today stated: “The briefing will introduce you to the plans for a world-class sporting facility that, should planning permission be granted for the student village in Chester, will be a centre of sporting excellence, attracting professional sports people from around the UK.
“It will also be of huge benefit to the local community as well as the students who can use this facility. This multi-million-pound development will be endorsed by, and take the name of an Olympic gold medal-winning sports person.”
Councillors were cautioned by council solicitor Nick McGinn about attending briefings on the proposals for sporting facilities.
He wrote: “Members may want to balance consideration of accepting the invitation on the basis of the limited information available, alongside already articulated public concern that any proposals of this nature on the site identified are likely to be contrary to planning policy.”
Meanwhile, a report on student housing in Chester by Nevin Leather Associates, commissioned by the council, argues the scale of demand for a large purpose-built development is ‘uncertain’.
