Westminster Park Residents Association

A new walk-through testing site for local residents with Covid-19 symptoms is being set up on the Little Roodee car park, opening on Saturday 5 September. From 6 September it will be open 7 days a week from 8am-8pm. Residents must arrive on foot of by cycle.

https://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/18692792.new-walk-through-coronavirus-testing-site-open-chester/

Chester Northgate Update August


Good afternoon



Construction Plan Update

With work now well underway, here are some of the forthcoming expected milestones for the remainder of the year:



The steps at the bottom of Hunter Street have now reopened for pedestrian access onto St. Martin’s Way, please take care and follow footway signage
Drain enabling works commence and central reservations removed on St. Martin’s Way/Nicholas St.to allow for drain shafts – currently underway
Site Investigations for drainage tunnel – completion imminent, and reopening of Castle Drive expected Friday 21st August
Market Car Park entrance closes on Princess Street, access will remain via St. Martin’s Way – 1st September
Piling works commence on site, working west to east – early September
Substructure to former Library building extension commences – end September
Hunter Street alignment completed to provide access onto St. Martin’s Way – early November
Princess St. closed to access from Northgate St. – early November
St. Martin’s Way/Nicholas St. closed to southbound traffic for drain works – expected early November – further details of the traffic diversions will be provided in September
Car Park foundations and Market/Cinema superstructure commences – late December.


First Archaeological Finds Revealed

Archaeologists working on the Northgate site alongside our contractors, have discovered several Roman artefacts which include what is thought
to be a rare gaming piece made from bone.



The lozenge-shaped gaming piece, see attached, is highly polished, probably from use, is approximately 29mm long and features a common Roman decoration of a ring and dot motif.



Experts link this to the game of Ludus Latrunculorum, meaning the Game of Mercenaries, which was a two-player military strategy board game played throughout the Roman Empire, similar to draughts. Finding it in part of a legionary barracks in Chester would back up this theory. Other artefacts found to date include another bone artefact, possibly a comb; a possible spearhead; and a pin or broach.



With work now well underway, contractor VINCI Construction UK and archaeologists Oxford Archaeology, have been carefully excavating to find signs of Roman life and other historical artefacts. However, despite all of the activity on site at present, the construction will not result in any major intrusion into the important archaeological remains which remain undisturbed as the works proceed.



The development has been carefully designed to avoid disturbance of archaeological remains as far as possible and a comprehensive mitigation strategy overseen by Historic England is in place to ensure intrusions into the most sensitive strata are kept to an absolute minimum. Andrew Davison, Historic England’s Inspector of Ancient Monuments for the North West recently visited the site to inspect the work to date. He said: “Chester residents are unusually knowledgeable about the City’s heritage, including its archaeology, They speak volumes about the quality of the archaeology we

are dealing with at this very significant site.”



Northgate Street Hoardings

Our new hoarding design has now been installed in front of the former library building.

We hope you like our ‘From… to’ rhymes from Chester’s past and present. E.g. From Eastgate Clock… to flaming wok.

Let us have your ideas and we may include them in future hoardings elsewhere on the site.



This information is also available in our latest newsletter if you wish to share:

http://chesternorthgate.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/CNG-Newsletter-Aug-2020.pdf

Thank you to all of you who have copied me in to your responses to the Blueoak Estates consultation on plans to develop the pond and meadow between Lache Lane and Winkwell Drive.  I have summarised your main points and questions in a collective response to the developers which is attached below.  Apologies if it does not include all of the points that you have expressed.

Clearly we are not in support of this proposal, but we recognise that this is a desirable infill site to develop and that the demand for new housing is high.  However, with many of our local meadows and ponds already facing destruction on Wrexham Road, we cannot support the loss of what will be our only remaining wildlife site, the ‘green lungs’ of our area.

Although the consultation closing date has past, it is still possible to send in your views by email to: lachelane.uk@avisonyoung.com.  Please copy me in on your email – my email address is in our WP News newsletter.

Jennifer Crew

Download (PDF, 125KB)

Please note the following temporary 20mph Speed Limit to enable Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council to carry out active travel works. The works are due to commence on 12th August 2020 and are expected to last for 21 days.

Grosvenor Road

Access to properties and for emergency vehicles will be maintained.

Please note the following temporary road closure to enable Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council to carry out Active Travel Scheme works. The works are due to commence on 11th August 2020 and are expected to last for three nights from 7pm to 6am.

Grosvenor Road
For the diversionary route see attached plan
Access to properties and for emergency vehicles will be maintained.

The local housing developers Blue Oaks have recently distributed a leaflet outlining proposals to develop the field between Lache Lane and Winkwell Drive.  A copy of the proposals is included below.  Responses to this consultation have been requested by Wednesday 5th August, but we have requested an extension to this time.

I am drawing together the opinions of local residents in order to submit a response on behalf of Westminster Park Residents’ Association and invite you to send me your views at chair@wp-ra.org.uk or put a note through my door at 7 Dennis Drive.  It is unlikely that a proposal to build on this land will be refused as it has been earmarked for development for many years.  Please focus your comments on aspects of the plan that you consider good/bad and suggestions about how it could be improved.

Jennifer Crew

Download (PDF, 4.16MB)