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1960 - 1970

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			Chester's unique heritage is of national and international importance . When the Secretary of State for the Environment Michael Heseltine approved the Structure Plan in 1992 , he said that if the historic character of Chester is to be maintained there may be " limits to the safe growth of the City .'' Development should be of a ' strategic scale ' Be compatible with the conservation and enhancement of the city centre, where appropriate, contribute to the improvement of the City's transport network . and be consistent with the City's role as a sub - regional centre . He is one of many who appreciate , why it is now so often called the " Jewel in the Crown ''

Conservation and enhancement of its historic environment are needed, careful control is very important of any development within the city . In 1964 G. G. Baines presented his plan for the City which focused on shopping , traffic management and new development .

The importance of the historic fabric was acknowledged but large scale development was felt appropriate . Due to the errors that were made in the early 1960's Donald Insall was commissioned to prepare a detailed conservation study and strategy

Since 1872 a number of streets paths and alleyways have been lost mainly due to development .examples of these include the severance of Newgate Street as a result of the Grosvenor development ; the widening of Nicholas Street and St. Martins's way and the loss of north /south routes between Princess Street and Watergate Street as a result of The Forum 60's development .

Since the Insall study was published conservation as a desirable objective has continued to grow in importance .
In September 1993, Cheshire County Council, Chester City Council and English Heritage appointed Building Design Partnership, Donaldsons and MVA to carry out a study called " The future of an Historic City '' .

The City's 630 shops have seen significant changes in shopping patterns in recent years, reflecting trends in shopping both at a national and regional level . This is particularly evident in the central area, banks and eating places have sought to locate in the main retailing streets around the Cross, shops have been lost to offices, banks and building societies, especially in Bridge Street and Watergate Street and the trend towards large multiple retail stores replacing the small, independent specialist shop is particularly evident along Forgate Street .

Shopping has been further decentralised by the retailing of food and bulky goods such as furniture and DIY tending to leave the city centre. The government has always accepted that, there are benefits of competition, they widen the choice and competitive value of different kinds of shopping, on this basis,competition is usually good for the shopper. However developments of this kind should not be allowed if they would be likely to threaten the viability of the town centre. The local authority may wish to refuse planning permission on this basis, it has to be able to prove this likelihood at the resulting appeal. The proof has to be based on theory, since the development will not yet have taken place, and the retailers can usually afford to spend much more on promoting their case, by employing high - powered consultants to present theoretical projections and arguments, than the local authority can afford to spend in resisting it .

The arrival of the new superstores has seen the development of convenience centres on the perimeter of the city limits. The development at Sealand Road of a total of 390,000 sq. ft. of retail warehousing and superstores, has reduced the desire to shop in the city centre. There have also been developments outside the cities jurisdiction, which have further reduced the influence of Chester city centre, drawing significant proportions of their trade from the Chester area .The Governments advice in PPG6 and PPG13 helps sway the development of any new comparison shopping to the city centre . However, this needs to be achieved in a way which not only enhances the range of retail provision but adds to the attractiveness of Chester as a shopping destination .

The principal source of approved guidance is Planning Policy guidance Note 6. This recognises the need for balance in providing for retail development between town centre and out of centre retail facilities. It emphasises the role of existing centres and local shops in minimising the need to travel and encourages planning authorities to provide positive policies to encourage uses that will contribute to town centre vitality and viability . Careful consideration is needed not to aggravate the existing problems of congestion and overcrowding

1986 Refurbishment of the Groveor Precinct
165,000 sq. ft of mixed retailing anchor store ' Browns of Chester '

1993 Eastgate Row Shopping Mall 40,000 sq. ft of mixed retailing

1995 Forum Phase 1 Shopping Mall refurbishment
100,000 sq. ft of mixed retailing anchor stores T. J. Hughes, Somerfield Supermarket