Editing Chester (section)

===Modern era===
[[File:Falconinn.jpg|thumb|[[The Falcon, Chester|The Falcon Inn]] after restoration]]

A considerable amount of land in Chester is owned by [[Hugh Grosvenor, 7th Duke of Westminster|The 7th Duke of Westminster]] who owns an estate, [[Eaton Hall (Cheshire)|Eaton Hall]], near the village of [[Eccleston, Cheshire|Eccleston]]. He also has London properties in [[Mayfair]].

[[Duke of Westminster|Grosvenor]] is the Duke's family name, which explains such features in the city as the [[Grosvenor Bridge (Chester)|Grosvenor Bridge]], the [[Chester Grosvenor and Spa|Grosvenor Hotel]], and Grosvenor Park. Much of Chester's architecture dates from the [[Victorian era]], many of the buildings being modelled on the [[Jacobean architecture|Jacobean]] half-timbered style and designed by [[John Douglas (English architect)|John Douglas]], who was employed by the Duke as his principal architect.{{cn|date=August 2023}} He had a trademark of twisted chimney stacks, many of which can be seen on the buildings in the city centre.

Douglas designed, amongst other buildings, the Grosvenor Hotel and the [[Public baths, Chester|City Baths]]. In 1911, Douglas' protégé and city architect James Strong designed the then-active fire station on the west side of Northgate Street. Another feature of all buildings belonging to the estate of Westminster is the 'Grey Diamonds'&nbsp;– a weaving pattern of grey bricks in the red brickwork laid out in a diamond formation.{{cn|date=August 2023}}

Towards the end of [[World War II]], a lack of affordable housing meant many problems for Chester. Large areas of farmland on the city's outskirts were developed as residential areas in the 1950s and early 1960s, producing, for instance, the suburb of [[Blacon]]. In 1964, a bypass was built through and around the city centre to combat traffic congestion.{{cn|date=August 2023}}

These new developments caused local concern as the physicality{{clarify|date=December 2014}} and, therefore, the feel of the city was being dramatically altered. In 1968, a report by Donald Insall, in collaboration with authorities and government, recommended that historic buildings be preserved in Chester.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.donaldinsallassociates.co.uk/ |title=Donald Insall Associates, official website |access-date=21 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071120114055/http://www.donaldinsallassociates.co.uk/ |archive-date=20 November 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref> Consequently, the buildings were used in new and different ways instead of being demolished.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/europe/england/chester?v=print |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128015916/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/europe/england/chester?v=print |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-01-28 |title=Chester Travel Guide and Travel Information |work=Lonely Planet}}</ref>

The City Conservation Area was designated in 1969. Over the next twenty years, the emphasis was placed on saving historic buildings, such as [[The Falcon, Chester|The Falcon Inn]], [[Dutch Houses, Chester|Dutch Houses]], and Kings Buildings.

On 13 January 2002, Chester was granted the first UK [[Fairtrade City]] status by the [[Fairtrade Foundation]]. In 2011 this was extended to the entire borough.<ref>{{cite web |title=Celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight on the 20th anniversary of Chester becoming the UK's first Fairtrade City |publisher=Cheshire West and Chester Council |date=18 February 2022 |url=https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/news/celebrating-fairtrade-fortnight-on-the-20th-anniversary-of-chester-becoming-the-uks-first-fairtrade-city |access-date=29 July 2024}}</ref>