A COUNCILLOR has called for a major improvements scheme at Chester Cathedral to be scrapped.
Speaking at a Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) executive meeting at the HQ building, Cllr Samantha Dixon said it was time for the city to “move on” from the £3.9 million proposal.
Her comments came after a report from the public accounts scrutiny panel recommended the need for early, effective consultation and more engagement with the community on the issue.
Cllr Dixon, who represents the city centre, said: “Having read the report I ask you to draw a line under this ill-fated project. There is nothing to be gained by moving it forward and it is now time to move on.”
The plans to create one of the most impressive public squares in Europe were rejected by the CWaC planning committee in November.
The original proposal had also been withdrawn earlier last year following widespread opposition.
The controversial plans have so far cost taxpayers a total of more than £750,000.
Labour Cllr Dixon said: “There was also an observation made about Chester Renaissance stating there is little transparency with projects it selects.”
She added certain projects appeared to take precedence over others and in future she expected to see a “score card” from the organisation. Projects which should be top priority should involve job and wealth creation and affordability.
Cllr Dixon said: “Right from the beginning of that process there should be engagement in the community. It is vital to make sure local people and interested parties are involved. We need to find the most constructive way for people to express their civic pride.”
Labour opposition leader Cllr Justin Madders, public accounts scrutiny committee chairman, added: “There were unusual circumstances. It was acknowledged there had been difficulties with CWaC in terms of this being an ‘inherited’ project, particularly with the demise of the Northwest Regional Development Agency part way through the process.”
He added: “There was also an opportunity to look at what is happening in the city as a whole.”
Tory Cllr Herbert Manley, prosperity portfolio holder, said the scheme was “inherited” from the former Chester City Council and added: “But there is a lot of learning we can do from this. We need to make sure we take our community with us.”
CWaC spokesman Ian Callister later confirmed the scheme was still under review and no final decision had been taken.