Bell Developments - Commercial and Residential Property Developers

News

February 2012
CHESTER CHOSEN AS HOME FOR SIR STEVE REDGRAVE INSTITUTE

Sir Steve Redgrave and Bell Developments have today announced that they are engaged in discussions with the local community to create the first Redgrave Institute - a new, world-class, sports health and well-being complex.

The facility will comprise a state of the art gym, fully functional high performance suite, sports injury clinic and lecture space. A variety of other components are also under consideration. It will offer a unique sports-orientated educational environment for the city of Chester, available to both students and residents, placing Chester on the world map for sporting excellence.

Sir Steve’s vision for the institute is that it will provide an inspirational environment for all people from all backgrounds. This includes local people who want to improve their health and well-being, aspiring local athletes through to the sporting elite who will travel from across the globe to use its bespoke facilities.

ABK Sports, who are advising Sir Steve, quickly identified Chester with its outstanding river, progressive University and available development sites as an ideal location for the Institute.

The links to Chester University can only benefit the sports research facility and injury clinic. Intrinsic to the project is Lady Ann Redgrave’s knowledge and experience as a leading sports clinician. (Ann is currently Chief Medical Officer of the British Rowing Squad.) Access to the river will also allow for the development of a rowing academy allowing all ages and abilities to train there as well as up and coming stars of the future.

Backing the proposal for the institute to be built in Chester, Sir Steve Redgrave said: “I am hugely excited by the prospect of the institute making Chester its home. I visited the city in December and saw the plans for the proposed locations. I believe there is a great groundswell of support for my vision in Chester and I really hope that I can work with the city to create a sporting destination that provides the type of joined up thinking which is so important within sport.”

Students, schools, residents and a wealth of visitors who will want to come to Chester will all be able to use the Sir Steve Redgrave Institute. Schools will each have time during the week to bring their sports teams and classes to the site and residents can benefit from its unique sporting facilities that will inspire them and future generations.

Having conducted a site evaluation process, the preferred solution is for the Redgrave Institute to be part of the Student Village development subject to planning. The site sits on a total of 65 acres, close to the University, with 30 acres remaining as ‘green land’, housing football and rugby pitches, running tracks, cycle paths and walkways. The Institute will also benefit from the availability of accommodation on site which will allow national and international athletes and teams to visit. Other locations and development land have however also been considered within the environs of the city.

Mike Bell, of Bell Developments, said: “This is a huge opportunity for Chester. Building an institute such as this will see Chester become a sporting destination for aspiring athletes the world over. Chester is a perfect location in which to place it and we are looking forward to working with Sir Steve Redgrave, his management team at IMG and ABK to bring this exciting project to fruition”.

A planning application for the student accommodation site has been submitted with a decision to be reached in May 2012. Should the application be successful, the first phase of the Sir Steve Redgrave Institute could be completed in 2013.

January 2012
Proposed Student Village, Chester

Proposed Student Village, Chester

New Chester Student Village application to be submitted Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Mike Bell of Bell Developments who are Applicants for the scheme said “This is a £100 million investment in the future prosperity of Chester. We fully support the University and recognise that it is one of the key economic drivers for the future of Chester. This new Student Village will radically improve the attractiveness of Chester University for prospective students especially following the announcement by Vice Chancellor, Professor Tim Wheeler, ‘to drop student fees’ which will only increase the growth of student applying to Chester. The accommodation offer will give the students opportunities to live in purpose built accommodation with top class recreational and sport facilities. This is the best answer to allow the University to compete on a level playing field with other Universities whilst also addressing concerns from residents in communities where the number of students is significant”.

The site for the proposed new Chester Student Village is located on the edge of Blacon, only 15-minute walk or 5-minute cycle ride from Chester University’s main campus via a proposed enhanced pedestrian link along the Shropshire Union Canal and a new cycle path along Parkgate Road. The proposed Student Village can accommodate up to 2500 students in a fully managed environment. The proposed new Sports Centre and playing pitches will be open to the Community and include around the rural edge of the site, an exciting new Trim Trail for local people to use, which may include purpose built fitness zones ideal for a multitude of different excise activities. The plans also include new footpaths to link the proposal to the proposed Countess Country Park which would be ideal for dog walking. Substantial new tree planting, landscaping and ponds will be created for both recreational and ecological use.

David Rolinson (Chairman of Spawforths - Planning Consultancy) said ‘the proposed Student Village provides the best solution to meeting the existing need for student accommodation in the City. We recognise that the site lies within the Green Belt, but we are satisfied that there are no other sites large enough or sustainably located to meet the student needs. The scheme retains a deep green wedge alongside Parkgate Road, which will be permanently retained and used for recreational purposes. We have demonstrated in the Application documents, the very special circumstances that justify this proposal and are confident that this is a unique proposal that does not set a Green Belt precedent.’

Andrew Titterton (associate director – AEW Architects), who have developed the masterplanning strategy, said ‘the proposal demonstrates a profound understanding of the complexity of the site and the importance we have placed on the existing context. We believe the village, which will help students live, learn and grow in a safe and sustainable environment, will establish itself as one of the most important in the UK.’

As well as being in a highly sustainable location, the development is proposing innovative energy saving techniques, Professor Andrew Thomas comments ‘there will be a centralised energy plant that generates not only enough energy for the development but which can also re-use excess heat to the benefit of other community or university buildings. This will support the ‘Sustainable Blacon’ approach and allow the project to give something back to the people of Chester’

Jon Pochin of Pochin Construction who will build the Student Village said ‘This development will provide employment for up to 600 people over its life. We will use local suppliers / subcontractors where possible and will also run a full engagement programme with local schools and colleges which will include work placements, work experience, school visits, teach the teacher programme, student site visits, and Apprentices. This can only be seen as a positive step for the employment prospects of Chester”.

Throughout 2011, the Consultation team have undertaken a series of consultation events that informed the local community of the project progression at key stages throughout the scheme. These events were well attended and provided the opportunity for an open dialog between the project team and the public. Katherine Clegg from Spawforths said ‘we believe that by consulting local people, they have helped enhance the design process as well as highlighting challenges that may not have been originally considered. With successful consultation, like we have experienced here, we have been able to address several concerns raised by local people and show how their views have been taken into the design.’

The application will be submitted within the next week, and it is anticipate that the Council will consult further on the application allowing the public another opportunity to view and discuss the project. The Council then consider all these views and aim to determine the application at Committee in late spring 2012.

If you are interested in keeping updated or require more information regarding the project please visit the website at www.chesterstudentvillage.co.uk. You can also email the team at information@chesterstudentvillage.co.uk with your contact details or leave a short message on the Spawforths “Consultation Hotline” on 01924 876876 paying reference to ‘Chester Student Village,’.

	January 2012 Happy New Year Happy New Year from all at Bell Developments

	December 2011 Merry Christmas Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all the team at Bell Developments

October 2011
Chester Student Village Consultation Exhibition

Bell developments would like to invite the local community to attend the fourth Consultation Exhibition on the 15th December 2011 3.00pm – 7.00pm at the Holy Trinity Church Hall.

Here they can view the final designs of the scheme before summation at the end of the year. The team will be on hand to speak to local residents and explain the progress of the project since the previous event.

Any other interested individuals or groups that would like any futher information please contact information@chesterstudentvillage.co.uk or call our automated consultation line on 01924 876 876.

Alternatively, please visit our the projects website: www.chesterstudentvillage.co.uk

September 2011
Consultation Exhibition for the Student village, Chester

Consultation Exhibition for the Chester Student village, Chester

Bell Developments would like to invite you to attend another Consultation Exhibition for the proposed Chester Student Village which is being held at Holy Trinity Church Hall, Norris Road, Blacon on the 21st September 2011 - 3pm to 7pm.

Please come along to the exhibition to speak with our team to discuss work undertaken to date, background information relating to the site and the way forward. You will have the opportunity to ask questions, register your interest for future consultations events and leave any comments.

Any other interested individuals or groups that would like any futher information please contact information@chesterstudentvillage.co.uk or call our automated consultation line on 01924 876 876.

Alternatively, please visit our the projects website: www.chesterstudentvillage.co.uk

August 2011
Council Debate Student Village Petition

Cheshire West and Chester Council has recognised the significant economic, social and cultural benefits that the University of Chester brings to the City of Chester, the Borough and the wider sub-region but recognises the limitations, difficulties and problems of student accommodation in the City of Chester and resolves to undertake to work with all interested parties, who so wish to participate, to facilitate the development of a student village or campus to accommodate sufficient numbers of students - estimated at 2,000 - to free the City of the harmful 'pepper-pot' development of student accommodation.

See the full council meeting on: http://connect.cheshirewestandchester.public-i.tv/site/player/pl_v7.php?a=60180&t=0&m=wm&l=en_GB

July 2011
Saughall Sports Day 16th July 2011

Saughall Rotary Club would like to invite you to their second Saughall Sports Day which will be held on Saturday 16 July 2011 12pm - 5pm on the Millenium Field, Fiddlers Lane, Saughall, CH1 6DH. Run in the Saughall Mile, enter one of the races or join the tug of war. Lots of fun, food and sport. Real family dayout!! Admission is £2 per adult - Under 16’S free TICKETS ON THE GATE

Schools, Clubs, Scouts, Cubs, Guides and Rainbows are all welcome to take part in the opening parade of Saughall Village Sports Day. These groups can also have a stand on the Millenium Field to raise money for their own cause as long as a donation is made toward the Saughall Rotary fund raising.

We hope to bring our local community together through this much loved event and create a day to be enjoyed by the people of Saughall and the surrounding area.

May 2011
Successful Chester Beer Festival

Charities are the big winners of this year Chester Charity Beer Festival which was held last weekend over three nights at the Chester Rugby Club. In its 23^rd year – now organised jointly by Chester Grosvenor Round Table 76 and Saughall Rotary Club – the club beat all records! While the revellers had a great time with 96 different beers and 54 different ciders and perries, not to mention the high calibre live entertainment (three live bands every night), it will be the charities that will really benefit over the coming months. In addition to the beers and burgers that were consumed – all in the name of a good cause-, it was the help and support from 60+ local businesses (inc the Mill Hotel, Spitting Feathers Brewery, Qubic Print, Osprey Windows, Hargreaves & Woods) that enabled the organisers raise in excess of £12,000 which beats the previous record of £8k!

Mike Bell of Saughall Rotary and Bell Developments said ''The 3 nights were very enjoyable and the big winners from the event were the Charities supported.''

“Everything came together on the night: the bands were in top form, the beer tasted great, the atmosphere brilliant! And the best bit is that we have been able to raise enough to make a real difference this year!” said Alexander Franzen of the organising committee.

Three raffles, one on each night, with fantastic prizes raised another £2000 for the Hospice of the Good Sheperd, Claire House and the Scouts. Other than local individuals in need of support, a range of other chairities will benefit over the coming months, including RNLI (lifeboats), Anthony Nolan Trust, Miles of Smiles, but to name a few!

The dates for next year’s festival are already confirmed: 17/18/19 May 2012 – for another successful and fun night – see you all there!

May 2011
University of Chester plan tuition fee rise

THE cost of attending the University of Chester is set to soar as students will now have to pay £9,000 per year - the maximum allowed by the government.

The figure, which is almost triple what students are currently paying, will leave those with a three-year undergraduate’s degree with a debt of about £27,000.

The city’s university followed a number of other North West universities which have already ramped up their fees, including Liverpool’s John Moore University, the University of Liverpool, Manchester University and the University of Central Lancashire.

University bosses defended the move, saying it would ensure that a “first-class student experience” could be maintained and to keep pace with increasing costs.

Vice-chancellor, Professor Tim Wheeler, said: “This figure has not been determined lightly, but is the conclusion of months of consultation, debate and meticulous calculations, involving students, staff and governors. “The University of Chester will not compromise on its reputation for the quality of its teaching and research, as students and employers rightly expect high standards. The fee we have proposed will enable us to continue to meet those expectations.”
To help poorer students deal with costs, the university has also pledged to try and help provide financial support to more than 40 per cent of the student body.

Some of the measures include making available more scholarships, ensuring that less advantaged students have access to a fee waiver, cash payment or discount on university accommodation and allocating £100,000 of additional financial support to students.

They also include giving all first-year full-time undergraduate students a £25 credit for use at the University’s bookshop, making additional investment in outreach activities and further enhancing employment support.

Professor Wheeler added: “In line with the national context on the number of university places available, the number of new student entrants has remained relatively static for the past two years.
“However, in terms of its growing popularity, the university is in the UK’s top five in the increase of numbers applying this year and it has attracted the North West’s largest increase in applications with over 10 applicants per place.
“When policy changes mean that 86 per cent of government funding has been removed, the new fees environment poses fresh challenges, opportunities and responsibilities.

“We will continue to listen carefully to what students tell us about their time here, making improvements that take advantage of the latest research and developments in employment and work based learning.”

Latest figures show about a third of universities in England will be charging the maximum fee from September 2012 amid major cuts to the institutions’ teaching budgets.

The controversial policy, backed by parliament in December 2010, sparked angry street protests. It was developed as the government’s response to a review of higher education funding by former BP chief Lord Browne.

Earlier, Chester Students’ Union president Dechlan Jarrett said he was sure if fees did go up, the University of Chester would do its best to keep up its cost-value.

He said: “Whatever decision is taken by the University, we as a students’ union have to make sure first of all the demands of students and staff alike are kept by the university.''

“I’m happy to say they have taken the students’ needs and considerations into consideration. Regarding the whole situation of tuition fees, everyone needs to be totally educated about it and not just listen to one side.”

April 2011
Bell Developments aim to bring smiles to the children's ward at the Countess Hospital

The Children's ward at the Countess will be filled with smiles and joy this Monday the 18th of April at 2pm as it will be host to some very special visitors. Players and BiG Lupus from Chester FC, will be handing out Easter eggs to all the very brave children on the ward and will also be in attendance signing shirts and autographs.

Pat Cluskey from Chester FC said, "Chester FC is proud to be part of the community and is delighted to be able to support this event which will hopefully cheer up the children on the ward.

This event has been supported by Bell Developments based on Parkgate road in Chester.

Mike Bell was initially approached by Kathy Ford, mother of Jack Ford, Jack was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) last May and when Jack is unwell he attends the Children's ward at the Countess.

Management and staff at Bell Developments have donated 100 Easter eggs for the children on the ward.

Bell Developments are delighted to be supporting such a worthy cause and look forward to seeing all the excited faces of the children.

Kathy Ford says, "I am very grateful for Bell Developments support in donating 100 Easter eggs to the Children's ward, staff on the ward work very hard to keep children calm and happy in what can be a very stressful environment for a child, I feel it is very important to support the Countess as it is our local hospital".

Andrew Donaldson of BiG Storage, Lupus’ sponsors, said “We hope that BiG Lupus will get out and about in the summer at lots of events after his first successful season at Chester FC – He’s even competing in the Mascot Gold Cup at Wetherby Races on the 17^th April!”

March 2011
Consultation Exhibition for the Student village, Chester

Bell Developments have now begun the consultation process for the proposed Student Village near Blacon and invite you to attend the 2nd Consultation Exhibition being held at Holy Trinity Church Hall, Norris Road, Blacon on the 24 March 2011 - 3pm to 8pm.

Any other interested individuals or groups that would like any futher information please contact information@blaconstudentvillage.co.uk or call our automated consultation line on 01924 876 876.

Alternatively, please visit our the projects website: www.blaconstudentvillage.co.uk

January 2011
Consultation begins on £200 million Student Campus Project for Chester

Chester based developers, Bell Developments, have announced that they are to begin a detailed consultation process on their options and sites assessment study for a new £200 million Student Campus in Chester. Over the coming months, the Company will be engaging with Chester residents, businesses and students on the preliminary ideas for a Campus to accommodate up to 3000 student units and importantly with a range of supporting services such as restaurants, laundrettes, bars and sporting facilities.

Mike Bell, Director of Bell Developments explained “The development of a dedicated student campus, ideally within walking distance of Chester City Centre, provides both the University and the City with a tremendous range of opportunities and benefits. Not only will it help the University to attract the brightest and best students to Chester by offering them accommodation that is consistent with the high quality of tuition that is being provided, it will also release large numbers of existing student houses closer to the City Centre for local families who are currently struggling to find accommodation”

Any other interested individuals or groups that would like the opportunity for a conversation or presentation should contact Mike Bell on 01244 851155.

January 2011
Heslington East

The University of York have solved similar issues with Student Accommodation by developing Heslington East Student Campus. In 2007, following a public inquiry, the University was able to acquire a 116 ha site on Heslington East, adjacent to the existing campus at what we now call Heslington West, around two miles south east of the centre of York. New academic and residential buildings, along with knowledge-based businesses, are planned for Heslington East. The first phase of development has been completed in October 2010, consisting of the 600-bed new Goodricke College opened in 2009, departmental buildings for Computer Science, Theatre, Film and Television and the York Law and Management Schools, along with lake, landscaping, paths and roads.

November 2007
Marketing a New Development

Two prestigious new houses are now being marketed in a highly desirable village location.
These individually designed homes are built to a luxurious specification on a site previously occupied by two smaller houses.

Bell Developments have recently sold one and let one of their Residential properties in Prestbury that were built earlier this year. (Update Summer 2010)

2007
Planning Application Submitted

Building work has been completed on thirty 1 & 2 bed city centre apartments. This town centre development is part of a major regeneration scheme which is located close to a proposed new tram stop making travel by public transport very convenient. These have all been fully let.

2007
Construction Started

154 residential units in blocks of 3, 4 and 5 storeys. Redevelopment of this former engineering works site is an exciting opportunity to contribute toward regeneration of a new and prosperous city centre quarter.