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.
Appeal launched to find the owner of live chickens found at Creamfields festival
Daisy Jackson
The hunt is on to find the owner of a pair of chickens who were discovered at Creamfields festival.
The two birds were spotted on the grounds of the huge electronic music festival by bewildered festival-goers.
The cockerel and hen were trapped in a hedge, after it appears they wandered onto the festival campsite before the security barriers were installed.
The birds then found themselves trapped inside as around 70,000 music fans poured into Cheshire for a line-up that included Calvin Harris, Swedish House Mafia, Disclosure, and Tiësto.
The chickens have been safely rescued from the Creamfields festival site and are recovering at a wildlife centre, and now the RSPCA is on a mission to find their owner.
Festival-goers first called the RSPCA on Saturday 29 August to alert them to the cockerel and hen trapped inside the festival, one of whom assisted in the rescue mission.
RSPCA Inspector Leanne Cooper: “I was surprised that they were inside the festival site and I needed to get through the road blocks and security before reaching them on foot through muddy fields. I met the caller who helped me as they were just running up and down the hedge line where there was a wire fence blocking access.
Where the chickens were discovered at CreamfieldsThe RSPCA wants to track their owners down
“We managed to guide them out and I caught both of them with my rescue net which was a bit of a sight for the festival campers.
“I don’t think they were abandoned and they’re more likely to be stray because it’s farmland all around the festival site. They don’t have any health issues, apart from being quite underweight.
“With the fences going up a week before the festival starts they’d probably been unable to get out for some time and had been left foraging in the hedge. Someone mentioned that a third bird was also trapped, although we couldn’t find any others.
“I am really grateful to the festival-goer who found them and alerted us to their plight.”
Manchester Airport issues update for anyone flying today after hundreds of cancellations yesterday
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Airport has issued an update for anyone catching a flight today after hundreds of cancellations yesterday.
In case you hadn’t heard, hundreds of flights at several major UK airports – including Manchester Airport – were disrupted by a technical fault at air traffic control provider National Air Traffic Services (NATS) yesterday (8 September 2026), with the incident grounding planes and resulting in numerous cancellations.
According to Flightradar24, more than 1,000 flights were cancelled nationwide, and many passengers were told to expect disruption for the rest of the day.
One of the worst-affected airlines was said to be Ryanair, with around 65,000 passengers affected by the cancellations and delays.
Manchester Airport issued its first statement addressing the matter at 3:15pm yesterday, stating: “We are aware of an issue affecting NATS’ air traffic control service at UK airports, which may result in delays to some departing flights from Manchester Airport today.
“Passengers due to travel are advised to check the latest status of their flight with their airline. We will continue to monitor the situation and share further updates as more information becomes available.”
Now, although the issue has been resolved, Manchester Airport has issued further statements informing anyone travelling today what they can expect.
The airport started off by saying that it is ‘operating as normal’ today, but that passengers are advised to ‘check with their airline for the latest information’.
Emily Sergeant -
10th October 2024 
