Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Cabinet is set to rubber-stamp the appointment on 9 July following two separate procurement contests.

The two schemes will be delivered via a joint venture between VINCI and ION, aiming to create over 500 new homes across both sites.

More than 400 will be delivered at the Chester Northgate phase 2 scheme with just over 100 built in the Northwich Weaver Square scheme.

Both developments will breathe new life into outdated 1960s retail areas, making way for modern, affordable homes and community spaces.

In Chester, the first phase of the Northgate development saw the completion of a relocated and revamped Chester Market, restaurants, cinema, car park, and offices.

This next second phase aims to deliver homes and public spaces to improve connectivity to the wider city centre, taking in the old Forum shopping centre and nearby offices.

Covering the size of three football pitches, Northgate phase two includes the former Forum shopping centre and offices, Hamilton House, Merchant House, Goldsmith House and former Gateway Theatre.

In Northwich, Weaver Square will see the relocation of the market and improvements to nearby retail and evening economy hotspots including Barons Quay.

The proposal for Weaver Square is to demolish empty shops and buildings to make way for modern and affordable sustainable town centre living. The current Northwich Market moves to the Barons Quay shopping centre

The council hailed the schemes as “once in a generation” opportunities to revitalise two key town centres.

A Pre-Development Agreement will be signed for each scheme, with VINCI and ION set to co-produce site masterplans with the local community.