County Hall innovation centre gets go-ahead

PLANS for a multi-million pound innovation centre in Chester are back on track after a disagreement over the scheme’s choice of window frames.

The University of Chester has drawn up plans for a £6m ‘innovation economy centre’ and conference venue in the old County Hall which it bought from Cheshire West and Chester council for £10m.

The university says the scheme would give businesses and academics a forum to exchange ideas.

But the proposals, which include space for 15 business start-ups, shared meeting spaces and conference facilities for 160 delegates, were thrown out by the council at a planning meeting earlier this month after it decided a choice of aluminium windows were “unacceptable” in a conservation area.

The university has since submitted revised plans – approved yesterday – which will leave the building with its existing steel frames. “The amended proposal is therefore considered to preserve the character and appearance of the surrounding conservation area,” said a planning document.