Three Manchester developments have been given the green light by the council's planning committee this month including two in the city centre. A 10-storey aparthotel and a five-storey block of flats in the Northern Quarter are among the plans approved, alongside new affordable housing at Disbury Point.
Plans for the 117-room aparthotel will see the former United Footwear store in Oldham Street and a warehouse behind it in Spear Street brought 'back to life', according to developer Jadebricks. Dubbed Larard's Still, the scheme will offer a mix of two, three and four person serviced apartments and feature a guest lounge with a kitchen, gym and offices on the ground floor and basement.
The buildings will be partly demolished with the façade retained. Speaking after plans were approved, Jadebricks director Mike Bathurst said: "A lot of work has gone into developing the proposals for Larard’s Still and I am absolutely delighted that the planning committee has voted in favour of our plans.
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"In designing the scheme we have placed a particular emphasis on the retention of the heritage of the site, with the name ‘Larard’s Still’ taken from a pub which occupied the site back in the 19th century.
"The plans will revive a key city-centre site whilst breathing new life into surrounding streets and providing a significant boost to the Manchester economy. I am thrilled we are now able to continue progressing these plans to deliver an exciting, much-needed aparthotel scheme in the city."
Further down Spear Street, a five-storey block of flats is set to be built on land where the former Crosby and Walker warehouse stood before it was demolished in 2009. The planning application for this site, which was originally submitted in 2017, was for an eight-storey building with 11 apartments.
However, the proposal was reduced in height to address the impact the block would have on light reaching neighbouring buildings. The approved design features six flats including a two-bedroom duplex with a private roof terrace.
The planning committee also approved controversial plans for affordable housing at Didsbury Point which were subject to around 180 objections. The plans will see 76 flats built at the former WIthington Hospital site.
Residents raised concerns about parking and described the scheme as 'overdevelopment'. Local councillors also raised concerns on behalf of residents. However, the planning committee approved the application.
Speaking after the committee's decision Jonathan Turner, who is the assistant development director at housing association Southway, said: "We are pleased that the council have approved the plans and we look forward to working with the council and other stakeholders to progress the development to create much needed affordable housing in Didsbury."
Read more of today's top stories here.
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