Site Event/Activity record ECH7333 - Heritage Impact Assessment: Anfields, Station Road, Chester

Heritage Impact Assessment produced in 2024 in support of proposed development of a new build mixed-use development and associated infrastructure, including demolition of existing building at 1 Station Road, Chester. The site is within Chester City Conservation Area. It is located on the south side of Station Road, close to Chester Railway Station. The conservation area covers the four original streets of Roman Chester and the wider area outside its City Walls that contributes to the special architectural and historic interest of Chester. This includes architecture of both the canal and railway. The application site is close to station, and whilst originally forming part of the pre-1848 historic railway infrastructure sites, its present character is utilitarian in appearance and detracts from the setting of the station and the historic, highly decorated inns and hotels associated with the station gateway. The application site lies in an area which links to Hoole Road, a key route into the city from the north-east with a well-defined townscape of 19th century domestic architecture. It is in the Chester Characterisation Study as Character area H1. Station Gateway described as “a mixed area…the canal and then the railway functioned as key drivers for development…on Station Road the building are generally large and Italianate in style”. The setting of the application site is most closely associated with the railway and the late 19th century urban built form immediately around the station, which was built hotels to support visitors arriving from Chester Railway Station following its convergence of four railway lines, and subsequent building of the Italianate railway station, which opened in 1848. The Queen Hotel, also Italianate in design, was built in 1860, the Town Crier built in 1865. (1)