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.
New images released of Piccadilly Gardens as transformation plans take a big step forward
Daisy Jackson
Plans to transform Piccadilly Gardens to make them more ‘colourful, vibrant and safe’ have taken a big step forward today, with new images released.
Manchester City Council has shared the vision to the public ahead of a planning application being submitted this summer.
The plans to finally give Piccadilly Gardens some love were revealed last autumn, but things are now moving at pace with a delivery team appointed to design and build the new public space.
The new images show the vision for more green space, including lawns, trees, planting, seating, and colourful horticultural displays.
The temperamental fountains will also be removed for good, replaced with a new space called The Pavilion which will host family-friendly events.
The low concrete walls and raised planters at the edge of the gardens will be ripped out, improving the setting of the Queen Victoria statue.
There’ll be a new, larger playground for younger children, created in the same high quality style as the new parks at Mayfield Park and Ancoats Green.
A pre-planning consultation has started today and will run until Wednesday 15 July, with plans to submit the final planning application later this summer.
The new-look play area at Piccadilly GardensPlans for the new Piccadilly Gardens from above
The council has said that these new designs reflect feedback from the public and opinions on what we want to see at the new Piccadilly Gardens.
Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig said: “We’re getting on with sorting out Piccadilly Gardens. We all want to see a space which Mancunians can be proud of – a welcoming and attractive environment which people want to spend time in.
“So as well other initiatives which are delivering more police and more CCTV, we’re bringing forward this scheme to transform the public space. That means investment in more flowers, more greenery, a new welcome pavilion, a new and bigger playground and an altogether more inviting Piccadilly Gardens. A bright new chapter is just around the corner.”
Further planned improvements to the area around Piccadilly Gardens in the coming years will include a multi-million pound investment by Transport for Greater Manchester to create a new, modern transport interchange.
Council calls on Manchester public to help bring hundreds of empty homes back into use
Emily Sergeant
Residents across Manchester are being called on to help bring hundreds of empty homes across the region back into use.
Since the beginning of this year, a major review has been underway around the city’s draft strategy for bringing empty homes back into use to help meet demand for affordable homes across the city, while also improving communities by tackling empty homes that can blight an area… but now, Manchester City Council needs your help.
Following a major public consultation, the Council is now acting on feedback to accelerate plans to bring as many long-term empty homes back into active use as possible.
Although the number of long-term empty homes in Manchester is near a historic low, with the Council having managed to reduce the number by more than half since 2013, there is still more work to be done.
“Every void property is a missed opportunity to provide a family a place to live, reduce homelessness, and lessen the burden on temporary accommodation,” the Council said in a statement.
The Council is calling on the Manchester public to help bring hundreds of empty homes back into use / Credit: Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
So, how can residents help then? What do you need to do if you spot an empty home on a street nearby?
Well, the easiest way to report an empty home is to report the issue online here, or by emailing [email protected]. And then once that’s done, a team of dedicated empty homes officers will take up the case to find out who owns the property and work with the owner on a plan to bring the home back into use.
The vast number of empty homes are privately owned with complex histories, and there are some cases where an owner may have passed away.
While working collaboratively with housing providers, voluntary organisations and public services are also a key element of detecting potentially empty or ‘problematic’ homes to repurpose them.
Officers can also support, where required, if a communication or language poses a barrier to resolving an empty home issue.
Tailored approaches to different communities – where empty homes impact neighbourhoods in different ways – are also being considered, according to the Council.
“To think, if we could bring all empty homes back into use, then we could provide more homes for those on the housing register and take pressure off the whole housing system,” explained Cllr Gavin White, who is Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development.
“The potential of making empty homes a thing of the past is huge for Manchester families looking for a place to call home – and a significant part of tackling the housing crisis.”
Emily Sergeant -
10th October 2024 
