Plans have been revealed for a cluster of new skyscrapers in Manchester city centre, including one tower that would become the city’s tallest building.
Property developer Renaker, which was behind the huge Deansgate Square neighbourhood that transformed the city skyline, shared its proposals for the next phase of the Great Jackson Street Development.
The five new towers would bring 2,388 new homes to Manchester city centre, in an area that was previously used as surface car parks.
If approved, ‘The Lighthouse’ would stand at 71 storeys tall, overtaking Deansgate Square’s South Tower (64 storeys) to become Manchester’s tallest skyscraper.
It would also be the tallest building in the UK outside of London.
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Deansgate Square. Credit: The Manc GroupThe new proposed public square. Credit: RenakerThe new skyscrapers would spring up around Deansgate Square in Manchester city centre
The proposals have put forward the idea of having a restaurant on the top floor of The Lighthouse, which would be the city’s highest food and drink establishment by a long way (the current record belongs to 20 Stories).
The other four towers would stand in the corners of a newly-created public square, and Renaker plans to build two of them at 51 storeys and two at
The other four towers would stand in the corners of a newly-created public square, and Renaker plans to build two of them at 51 storeys and two at 47 storeys.
Already under construction in the same area is Blade, a premium residential tower promising amazing views, and Three60, a distinctive cylindrical skyscraper.
Two Greater Manchester towns have been named in The Sunday Times’ best places to live
Thomas Melia
Esteemed UK newspaper The Sunday Times’ has published its list of the ‘Best places to live in the UK 2025’, and it features two Greater Manchester boroughs.
Us Mancs didn’t need anymore clarification to know that where we live is incredible but we’ll always take it, especially when the compliment is coming from none other than The Sunday Times.
The publication revealed its annual guide of ‘Best places to live 2025’ which featured more than 70 different locations throughout the nation.
Although we may have been pipped to the top spot, Greater Manchester is featured not once, but twice, which is pretty impressive.
Claiming the victory this year is the market town with a name as pretty as its surroundings, Saffron Walden, which is only 15 miles from Cambridge.
The locations were ranked through a number of key categories including transport, house prices, broadband, schools and a new addition, mobile signal.
All the contributors to the full list acknowledge the obvious missing puzzle piece,food, and we know if this was factored in a few more Greater Manchester locations may have nabbed the ‘Best places to live’ honour.
The first Greater Manchester based entry is The Heatons, a hotspot nestled between the city centreand the city of Stockport, which is actually four neighbourhoods – Heaton Chapel, Mersey, Moor and Norris.
These areas are home to living history in the form of the iconic century old Savoy Cinema and lots of open green spaces.
Food may have been missed off The Sunday Times’ list but it certainly didn’t go a miss on ours.
Mossley has been named on The Sunday Times Best Places to Live list. Credit: Instagram, @ariadneexploresThe Heatons also made the list. Credit: Instagram, @fourtheheatons
The second spot which managed to grab the title of ‘Best places to live 2025’ is Mossley, a town packed to the brim with cosy cottages, blissful walks and a close-knit friendly community.
It’s not too far from Dovestone Reservoir and the Peak District National Park – when you’ve got all this greenery on your doorstep you’re bound to be in a good mood.
Our friends over in Leeds at The Hoothave lots to cheer about as Ilkley, Hebden Bridge, Easingwold and Ripon all got a mention.
You can find out the full rundown on all the spots up and down the country that have been selected as part of ‘The Sunday Times’ Best places to live for 2025′ HERE.
Consultation begins for plans to regenerate Strangeways neighbourhood and beyond
Danny Jones
The consultation for the potential plans to regenerate districts around Greater Manchester’s Strangeways prison has officially begun.
Known these days as simply HMP Manchester, the areas surrounding what was once known as ‘the UK’s most dangerous prison’ are the latest to have been eyed up for some serious TLC, with both Manchester and Salford City Council currently working on the “ambitious proposals”.
Artistic impressions of what the redeveloped region could look like have already been released, but now both members of the public, local businesses and stakeholders are being invited to share their feedback.
We have opened a consultation this week about the ambitious plans for Strangeways and Cambridge where we want to support existing businesses to thrive, create new jobs and build thousands of new homes – including lots of affordable housing.
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) March 26, 2025
Focusing on the ‘fringe’ communities of Strangeaways and Cambridge, the councils’ joint consultation process is underway and is set to last eight weeks
While Manc, Salfordians and more can share their thoughts online, a number of in-person discussions will be taking place between two venues – one in Salford and another in Cheetham Hill.
The first of these meetings is being hosted at the Broughton Community Centre this Saturday, 29 March from 10am to 3pm, with the second scheduled for the following Tuesday (1 April).
Aanother series of assemblies will begin at The Yard on Monday, 7 April from 3-7pm. You can find the other dates below:
Thursday 24 April, 3-7pm – Salford
Tuesday 29 April, 3-7pm – Salford
Thursday 1 May, 3-7pm – The Yard
Tuesday 6 May, 3-7pm – The Yard
Manchester City Council Leader, Bev Craig, said of the plans’ progress thus far: “This framework is our shared long-term vision, alongside our colleagues in Salford, to deliver a transformation in the Strangeways and Cambridge communities.
“We have an opportunity to create a platform for development and investment, enabled by the successful work carried out by the ‘Operation Vulcan‘ partnership, to support businesses to grow and prosper in these neighbourhoods – creating thousands of new jobs and support the ongoing growth of our city – alongside a major new public park and new homes, including Council, social and genuinely affordable housing.
“We know this area has challenges, including the prison that presents a key barrier to the regeneration of the area, but we also know that there is energy and a community brimming with potential.
“We will deliver huge change in Strangeways in the coming years, working alongside the people who live and work there, and as we move to consultation in the coming weeks, we want to speak to local people and businesses about how we can make this part of the city thrive.”
What the area could look like compared to its current appearance. (Credit: Manchester City Council/David Long via Geograph)
The consultation process will end officially close on Monday, 26 May and the results will then be reported back to the both councils’ relative cabinet committees, as The Draft Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) has already been reviewed by both.
Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, went on to add: “We’ve been on a journey of growth and regeneration in recent years, and our work has changed the landscape in different parts of Salford for the benefit of our residents…
“This framework proposes options for the Salford part of the SRF, taking into account the requirements of residents and local businesses, and the need for quality housing in the area. The key will be to balance these needs with what the long-term flood data is telling us and how we future-proof the area against climate change.
“The proposals in the framework seek to identify the best possible options for this area. These include the exciting opportunity to create a new city park for all, with an option for appropriate levels of mixed-use development, to continue to drive sustainable growth.”
It goes without saying that the presence of HMP MCR, a.k.a. ‘Strangeways Prison’, still presents a major image problem, especially given both historic and even more recent headlines.
However, with so many historic areas of central Manchester and beyond having been transformed over the past decade, who knows what the next 10 years will hold for this particular area?
Once again, you can offer your feedback on the Strangeways and Cambridge regeneration plans HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
30th January 2023 
