Plans proposed to revitalise "deteriorating" hydroelectric station
A "deteriorating" and disused hydroelectric station in Chester could be given a new lease of life.
The derelict sandstone building sits on the corner of Castle Drive and the Old Dee Bridge, between Chester and Handbridge.
Plans are being developed to revive this "long-neglected" part of the city's heritage and give it a useful place in the future of Chester.
In 1913, it was a brand new state-of-the-art hydroelectric station - the first of its kind in England to provide electricity from both tidal and headwater.
At one point, the station provided 40% of Chester's electricity requirement until it ceased operation in 1951. The following year, its turbines were removed and pumps replaced them to become a water pumping station until 2015.
The building has stood idle ever since.
Developing the plans is not-for-profit organisation, Cheshire Heritage and Sustainability Enterprises (CHASE), which is seeking the public's input through a survey and public meetings.
The 'Hydro Hub' project aims to give the site a new lease of life with several functions.
These include as an education centre and a brand-new visitor centre, featuring a rooftop café and restaurant - both of which propose jobs for local people.
Proposed use also includes utilising the building as a potential source of sustainable power and heat for the area.
"We need support to turn the Hydro Building from its unused and rather sorry state to a thriving educational and visitor attraction which generates its own energy and heat," CHASE chair, Dr Niall Macfadyen, said.
"We would really appreciate your and any of your friends and colleagues' opinions on the Hydro Hub, so a short survey has been put together by Marketing PRojects to better understand your views.
"We need as many views as possible and we'd love to hear from you."
The link to the short two-minute survey can be found here and closes at the end of July.
Residents are also invited to see the new plans at a public meeting at The University of Chester's Riverside Innovation Centre at 3pm or 7pm on 9 July.
The Entrance is next to the Wheeler building just off Castle Drive. Nearest parking is the Little Roodee car park.
The redevelopment of the Hydro Hub has received funding from Cheshire West and Chester Council's Climate Emergency Fund.
It has also received funding from the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) and the Community Energy Fund (CEF).
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