CHESHIRE West and Chester Council aims to wrestle back control of the city’s stalled Northgate Development retail project by ditching its commercial partner.

The Tory council, with Labour support, has terminated its long-standing agreement with ING Real Estate because not a single brick has been laid after 12 years.

It will shortly announce its alternative vision for the city centre in a bid to arrest Chester’s decline as a shopping city.

However, ING has hit back claiming the move will simply cause years of delay when it was due to submit a planning application this year with construction scheduled for 2014.

ING has also reminded the council it is the major landowner within the Northgate site and will now work up its own plans.

Cllr Herbert Manley, executive member for prosperity, said after the executive meeting where ING was ditched: “The council remains unequivocally committed to the scheme but has sadly concluded that there is little likelihood of progress under the current arrangement.

“Consequently, the authority will shortly announce its own concept for the crucial redevelopment of this area of the city.”

An ING Real Estate spokesman said: “It is now difficult to understand how the council’s promises to Chester residents will be fulfilled because the selection of a new partner and the legal, design, complex site assembly and tender process will add years to the ultimate delivery of the development.”

The spokesman added: “ING is the major landowner within the Northgate site and it is willing and able to regenerate this quarter of the town centre. It will now work up its own plans to realise the redevelopment potential of its land interests.”

Chester MP Stephen Mosley said: “It has been obvious for several years that the Northgate Development was not moving forwards and it is great news that the council have seized the initiative and taken full control of the project.

“With the council's decision to push on with a new theatre they now have the opportunity to really create a fantastic new centrepiece for the city. However, the new development must reflect the strength and qualities of Chester as a tourist and visitor centre and balance the needs of residents.”