About Us

Chester Civic Trust operates from our headquarters in Bishop Lloyd’s Palace, a wonderful Grade I listed building and perhaps Chester’s best example of a medieval timber building. We continue to be the leading local voluntary organisation influencing the quality of our built environment.

We have more than 400 members drawn from all walks of life: people who live or work in Chester, and others from further afield who have developed a keen interest in this very special city.Some join to take an active part in our committees and policy-making. Others enjoy receiving our regular newsletters, keeping in touch and become general supporters. It really doesn’t matter – we like to think we can offer something for everyone. All YOU need to qualify for membership is to be interested in Chester.

The trust is a registered charity with no political affiliations. We are recognised by the local authority, Cheshire West and Chester Council as a non-statutory consultee and our independent views are widely respected by local decision makers.

Join us and have your say in Chester’s future

Our Purpose

We work in partnership with other local organisations and actively support the civic society movement in this region and nationally.

Most of our day-to-day activity is organised through groups of volunteers who

  • monitor and comment upon planning applications submitted for sites within the greater Chester area.
  • Make views known to elected Councillors and planning officers.
  • advise and make recommendations on t strategic planning issues related issues of traffic and transport, forward planning, open spaces, and urban regeneration.
  • Stimulate public interest in the City’s built environment and promote high standards of planning and urban design.
  • Promote the conservation and sympathetic re-use of historic buildings and awareness of the city’s designated Conservation Areas.
  • Encourage the enhancement and effective interpretation of heritage
  • Assist in the organisation of the many events that take place annually in Cheshire and Chester during the Heritage Open Days event:England’s biggest grassroots celebration of our heritage, depending on the help of over 40,000 volunteers. Each year since 1994, the Heritage Open Days Committee liaises with property owners and guides to offer free access to around 100 buildings and tours of heritage interest.  A joint committee of Civic Trust volunteers and Local Authority staff, we produce and distribute 12,000 booklet guides to Open Days in our region, promoting the Civic Trust.