Three big decisions on new developments in Manchester were made at the town hall this week. A controversial plan for student housing in Hulme was knocked back by the planning committee for a fourth time in 18 months.
Plans for new industrial units at the former Ferranti factory site in Wythenshawe which involved building on the green belt were also rejected. However, plans for more than 250 homes in Ancoats were given the green light.
Here are the big decisions made at Manchester council's planning committee meeting on Thursday (November 16).
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Student housing in Hulme
Controversial plans for student housing in Hulme have been rejected for a fourth time in 18 months. Manchester council's planning committee has knocked back the development at the former Gamecock pub in Boundary Lane.
It comes after developer Curlew removed a further two storeys from the design, making it 30 pc smaller than the 13-storey block that was first proposed in May 2021. The building proposed now is for 146 students rather than 197.
Last year, the developer reduced the height of the block to 11 storeys after residents raised concerns about the height. But the development was rejected twice more, most recently in July after changes were made to parking.
Nine councillors voted against the application, with one abstaining. The developer and the council's planning officers will now have another opportunity to address the concerns raised before bringing it back to the committee again.
250 homes in Ancoats
Plans for more than 250 new homes in Ancoats were approved by the committee. The development between Jersey Street, Radium Street, Naval Street and Poland Street, would see a former ironworks building renovated.
In total, 256 new homes, ranging from one to three-bedroom apartments, duplexes, and townhouses would be built together with a private residents’ courtyard. There would also be some green space which is open to the public.
None of the apartments would be affordable. The planning committee unanimously approved the application.
Industrial units in Wythenshawe
Plans for new industrial units on the site of the former Ferranti factory in Wythenshawe were rejected outright. The development next to the Atlas Business Park in Simonsway would have involved building on some green belt land.
The developer behind the scheme told the planning committee that more logistics space is needed in South Manchester. However, the council's planning department recommended that the committee refuses permission.
Planning chief Dave Roscoe told councillors that the development would be harmful to the green belt. The committee unanimously rejected the application on the grounds that the development was 'inappropriate'.
