The Manchester city centre skyline is set to change once again, as a nine-year project to build four “iconic” skyscrapers has been approved by councillors.
Set to be known as ‘Trinity Islands’, the £751 million plans for the SimpsonHaugh-designed apartment blocks – which were submitted by residential tower specialists, Renaker – are to take shape on two pieces of land on the banks of the River Irwell, and will include a total of 1,950 apartments.
The apartments are to be built on a car park plot between Regent Road, Liverpool Road, and Water Street.
As well as the residential facilites, each of the skyscrapers will feature co-working space, a gym, and lounge areas, and then externally, each building would also have a private residents’ garden that’s accessed directly from the ground floor space.
There’ll also be private underground car parks and cycle storage within both the three-storey basements.
(1/3) We are delighted to announce we have been granted full planning permission for our Trinity Islands development! pic.twitter.com/z2q2L3O864
Nearly two-thirds of the site off Trinity Way will become green space open to the public.
This approval by Manchester City Council comes after previous plans for five towers – including one which would have been the tallest residential building in Western Europe – failed to materialise, however one of the skyscrapers in these latest plans by Renaker would still be among the tallest towers in the UK outside of London, second in Manchester to the South Tower at Deansgate Square.
Controversially however, none of the new apartments would be deemed “affordable”, as the developer said this would affect the financial viability of the scheme.
An initial contribution of £106,000 towards affordable housing elsewhere in the city has been agreed and a “clawback” clause means the developer could be asked to contribute more cash if the project becomes more profitable.
The developer also agreed to contribute £1.5 million towards a new school on Crown Street.
During yesterday’s planning meeting, Manchester City Council’s planning development manager Dave Roscoe told the committee that there were some “very serious challenges” with the site, but that this project was “special”, and admitted that some significant financial public benefits come from the scheme, including a £10 million public space and the funding towards the school.
The nine-year £751 million project has been approved by councillors this week / Credit: Renaker & SimpsonHaugh
Speaking on the green light given to the plans, a spokesperson for Renaker said the company is “delighted” with the decision, adding: “We look forward to delivering these new, iconic buildings, as well as new homes and facilities of the highest quality for residents and the wider community.”
Deansgate councillor Joan Davies, who represents the ward where the site is located, said she was “disappointed” with the amount of affordable housing, but was pleased the “clawback” clause created the possibility for the council to demand more money from the developer later.
Manchester City Council Leader Bev Craig added: “It’s important that we look at major schemes like Trinity Islands in the round, alongside our city’s plans and the positive impact that this sort of growth continues to have on our city.
“I am passionate about ensuring that Manchester’s growth benefits everyone.
“Manchester remains a place of prodigious population growth and the city can only meet the demand for new housing through major schemes such as this one, which also brings brownfield land back into use.”
(3/3) All at Renaker are excited to begin working on Trinity Islands, which will sit near the emerging St John’s area and new factory venue for culture and the arts, as well as the Deansgate and Spinningfields districts.
She added: “Trinity Islands is a significant investment in our city, which is testament to the confidence developers continue to have in Manchester, despite the ongoing economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This development alone will create 2,000 homes and 4,000 jobs in the construction stage.”
Featured Image – Renaker & SimpsonHaugh
News
Police tell gig-goers to ‘remain vigilant’ as Oasis Live ’25 hits Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Anyone lucky enough to be heading to Heaton Park for the Oasis Live ’25 gigs this summer is being told to ‘remain vigilant’.
Manchester is all set for a sensational summer of sound, as more than 300,000 music fans prepare to descend on our city to see a little-known band called Oasis (sarcasm detected) reform for the first time in over a decade.
And today is finally the big day after what has been a very long-time coming.
With the Gallagher brothers staging five nostalgia-drenched gigs at Heaton Park starting today (11 July), Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has now issued some important advice and information for gig-goers attending what is likely going to be one of the best live shows of their life, and what is sure to be a momentous moment for the city.
Oasis Live ’25 Manchester gig-goers told to ‘remain vigilant’ / Credit: The Manc Group | Simon Emmett (Publicity Picture)
GMP confirmed that it will be working with partners to ensure Oasis’ homecoming shows ‘pass by safely’ on 11, 12, 16, 19 and 20 July.
Planning has been underway within GMP over the past six months, alongside our partners at Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), and many more.
Police officers will be present around the Heaton Park site, working with event security staff to ‘prevent crime and disorder’, while off-site patrols will also assist with traffic management and policing in the surrounding areas and the city centre.
Efforts are also underway to ‘minimise disruption’ in Manchester city centre and the surrounding areas, GMP confirmed.
We’ll be working with partners to ensure Oasis’ homecoming shows pass by safely at Manchester’s Heaton Park starting from this Friday.
Planning has been underway within GMP over the past six months alongside our partners.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) July 10, 2025
“Our priority is to ensure everyone’s safety,” explained Assistant Chief Constable, Matt Boyle.
“We have worked closely with event organisers and partners to make sure the event is safe and enjoyable for those attending, whilst minimising any crime or antisocial behaviour impacts on local residents.
“We will have a large and highly visible policing operation in place in Heaton Park, the city centre, and on routes into and out of the venue to help people enjoy the event. We also have neighbourhood police officers and staff in place who are dedicated to dealing with local residents’ concerns.
“Our advice to fans attending is to enjoy yourselves but to remain vigilant, keep your belongings safe, and report anything suspicious to police or security staff so we can act on it.”
Major Co-op Live concert cancelled with fans already inside venue
Daisy Jackson
Major Co-op Live gig Jeff Lynne’s ELO has been cancelled this evening – after fans had already entered the venue.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO were set to perform the second of two nights at the huge Manchester venue tonight, as part of their final UK tour.
The Over and Out Tour should have been taking place on both the 9 and 10 July before heading to London’s BST Hyde Park Festival on Sunday.
But the show has been cancelled minutes before the legendary band were due to take to the stage.
Fans had already taken their seats inside the massive Co-op Live Arena when the news broke that the gig would not be able to take place ‘due to illness’.
77-year-old Jeff Lynne himself, who recently broke his hand in an accident, is said to be ‘devastated’ that he is unable to perform.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO has been cancelled at Co-op Live
A statement from the band said: “Unfortunately due to illness tonight’s (Thursday 10th July 2025) scheduled performance of Jeff Lynne’s ELO at the Co-Op Live will not be going ahead.
“Jeff is devastated he cannot perform this evening.
“More information will become available as soon as possible. For refunds please go to your point of purchase.”
According to fans, audiences inside Co-op Live were told the show was cancelled with just 45 minutes to go.
One person wrote: “The concert that never was. Cancelled with 45mins to go. Get well soon Jeff Lynne.”
Literally mins after this picture was taken Jeff Lynn cancelled 😞 @JeffLynnesELO Broke his hand a few days ago and has played the best he can and well done to you ! But then decides to cancel 2nd night n Manchester very last minute ! But it’s ok just ask for a refund !!! 😡 pic.twitter.com/wv1JfWPwk5
Emily Sergeant -
18th February 2022 
