Plans for a massive new 44-storey residential skyscraper in the heart of Manchester city centre havetaken another big step forward.
But does it mean change to one of Manchester‘s most famous views?
Located on what has been referred to as a “prominent site” adjacent to Deansgate train station and Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop at Whitworth Street West, the dramatic proposals would see the development of a total of 364 apartments set over 44 storeys.
Developers Glenbrook say the building has been designed to “respond to the city’s heritage”, most notably through its three-storey arched terracotta colonnade at street level.
Well-lit new green spaces, enhancements to existing pedestrian routes and seamless integration with the surrounding communities, all form part of the landscaping proposals for the bold new project.
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“As a Manchester-based developer, we are excited about the prospect of embarking on a landmark development in the heart of our city”, says Daniel Roberts, the Development Director at Glenbrook.
“Whitworth Street West is undergoing a period of revitalisation, and Glenbrook is incredibly proud to be playing such an integral part in its future.”
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Following a public consultation back in October, a planning permission application has been officially submitted to Manchester City Council (MCC).
However, should plans move ahead, it would involve the demolition of the two existing buildings – Wrendal House and Whitworth House – before work can commence.
The project’s start date at present is pencilled in for early 2026.
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A CGI of a proposed skyscraper on Whitworth Street West in Manchester. (Credit: Glenbrook)
As mentioned, local residents, businesses and interested stakeholders were invited to view the plans in detail and provide their thoughts on the proposals as they stand.
The development will cover a range of one, two and three-bed flats distributed across the tower’s upper 41 floors (120 one-beds, 218 two-beds and 26 three-bed homes).
There is also approximately 7,800 sq ft of active space on the ground, first, and second-floor levels which could be used for a variety of amenities, business and leisure purposes.
One thing to note so far is that no car parking is currently included in the blueprints, as the developers and property managers are set to encourage residents to walk and/or use the city’s various and newly-invigorated public transport links under the Bee Network.
The view of what Whitworth Street West currently looks like in October 2024. (Credit: The Manc Group)
According to developers, the feedback gathered during the consultation will play a key role in shaping the final planning application how work can ultimately ensure the development meets the needs of the community will also be taken into account.
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Standard planning permission applications obviously vary on a case-to-case basis but a decision is usually reached within 8-13 weeks.
The scheme can be found on the MCC’s planning portal, using the reference number: 141773/FO/2024.
Salford Red Devils granted another adjournment over unpaid debts
Danny Jones
Salford Red Devils have been given one more adjournment and yet another stay of execution, being given another two weeks to find the money to cover their unpaid debts.
The local rugby league side, which has been wrapped in all manner of struggles both on and off-pitch over the past year or so, reportedly needs to pay around £700,000 to HMRC alone and still owes roughly £5 million in total to various creditors.
To no surprise, regular matchgoers, neutrals and even rivals alike have expressed their continued disappointment with the club, mainly at the lack of transparency and clarity from the organisation throughout this long, drawn-out process.
This is coming from a wire fan but no club deserves to be left in the dark even longer than they already have done it’s nothing but a disgrace to the sport of rugby those owners and the court should be ashamed of themselves.
Updating fans on social media, this is all the information they have communicated at this time: “Salford Red Devils can confirm that HMRC have granted the club a two-week adjournment, providing additional time in which to secure the necessary funds.
“We would like to reassure supporters that we are working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure a positive resolution. Further updates will be shared as soon as possible.”
It’s worth noting that the current owners have reiterated that they inheited around £3m in existing debt before they took over the club, but assurances over their own investments have still come to nothing; meanwhile, with many still waiting on wages, players and staff alike have now left.
Having been propped up by loan players and emergency loans, the team is now closer to a skeleton crew than it is an outfit capable of competing in the premier division.
Either way, the outrage remains and is only growing stronger. One user wrote on X: “A good approach by them if they was legit would be to engage and bring in The 1873 to bridge the communication black hole (they created).
“The problem with that is if they did it would expose them for what they are… Extortionists using the club as a vehicle.”
More alarm bells were raised recently when assistant coach and Krisnan Inu – who was also director of the company set up to take over the business – withdrew himself from a key position behind the scenes.
Speaking of The 1873, the outspoken supporters trust took no time at all in issuing a response of their own, adding: “The judge presiding over today’s case has adjourned by 14 days. This adjournment has dragged the uncertainty on even longer.
“Every delay makes planning for 2026 harder and keeps the club stuck in limbo when it desperately needs clarity and direction.
“The fans, the players and the future all deserve better — The 1873.”
You can see the rest of their statement in full down below, but for now, what do you make of this seemingly neverending saga, Salfordians?
‘Christmas chaos’ on the cards as Manchester tram drivers vote on staging strike action next month
Emily Sergeant
There could be major disruption to festive travel in Greater Manchester next month, as hundreds of tram drivers are currently voting on whether to strike.
Almost 320 tram drivers are being balloted over working conditions and fears around fatigue.
The drivers – who are members of the union, Unite – all work for KeolisAmey Metrolink Limited at the Warwick Road South and Queens Road depots in Manchester – and they operate trams on all routes in Greater Manchester.
As it stands, the drivers’ shift patterns currently mean they have to work 450 hours over a 12-week period, which results in some having to work 50 hours on, followed by just two days off, then back into another 50-hour work pattern.
Drivers also have fewer rest days compared to all other operational departments, and this is said to be causing safety concerns around fatigue.
‘Christmas chaos’ is on the cards as Manchester tram drivers are currently voting on staging strike action next month / Credit: TfGM
Drivers say they concerned about operating heavy vehicles while exhausted and unable to have proper breaks, but after raising the issue with management, Unite has been told there is ‘no funding available’ to support any ‘meaningful’ improvements to working patterns.
Instead, management has asked drivers to start work earlier – which Unite says is only ‘adding insult to injury’.
The ballot is set to close on 11 November, and if drivers vote in favour of industrial action, strikes could then begin in late November, causing widespread cancellations and delays throughout the region during the busy festive shopping period – particularly coinciding with Manchester’s world-famous Christmas Markets, known for attracting millions of visitors to the city each year.
“Any strike action will cause a great deal of disruption but it is entirely the fault of Metrolink, which is not taking the issue of driver fatigue seriously,” commented Unite Regional Officer, Colin Hayden.
Emily Sergeant -
10th October 2024 
