AMBITIOUS plans for Blacon Parade in Chester, which includes the setting up of an innovative management company – came a step nearer this week.
Cheshire West and Chester Council’s executive agreed the terms of a partnership agreement and approved the setting up of the Blacon Asset Management Company, with the intention in the longer term for it to be owned by residents and deliver services for residents.
Details will come back to the executive meeting in December.
Cllr Lynn Riley, executive member for community and environment, said: “I would just like to welcome whole-heartedly this report.
“It has been a long time coming for a whole raft of reasons not least because this is a very significant departure from anything that Blacon has ever seen before.
“This is an £18.8m investment from the council and its partners in driving a new service delivery approach for Blacon, and the opportunities it will bring will be of benefit for every single resident in Blacon.”
The partnership involves the council, Chester and District Housing Trust and NHS Western Cheshire to create a vibrant centre which will include new, affordable and open-market housing, a new health facility, new social enterprise and community space, improved shop frontages and quality outdoor community spaces.
The council has reaffirmed its £2.5m capital support and approved a further £0.410m.
Council leader Mike Jones said: “This is a major construction project and I hope we get the opportunity to get some people who are long-term unemployed into apprenticeships working with West Cheshire College. This is a great opportunity to deliver a great deal of civic pride to Blacon.”
