Controversial apartments plan on hold
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a 22-storey apartment block next to the Arndale have been put on hold - again.
Councillors at Manchester council’s planning panel heard that CEG’s plans to redevelop the 1960s-style block on High Street - to make way for 361 homes - have been deferred again.
CEG temporarily withdrew their plans from a planning meeting in July, saying they wanted to continue negotiating with the town hall’s planning officers over financial contributions to off-site affordable housing.
And planning chair councillor Basil Curley told councillors in the meeting that negotiations are still ongoing.
The application has been a controversial one.
Town hall officers recommend that it is approved.
They say it will attract new visitors to this corner of the city and promote regeneration in other areas.
But the application has been criticised by local councillors and Historic England.
Piccadilly councillor Sam Wheeler said in planning documents that ‘no Mancunian is spending £450,000 to overlook the Arndale’ - referring to the estimated cost of a three-bed penthouse.
And he said the scheme ‘does not meet council policy on affordable and social housing’ - pointing out that there is no affordable housing within the proposal.
CEG argue that constraints involved with their application - such as the proximity to tram tracks and the cost of moving the Church Street markets mean that funding for affordable housing has been difficult.
But in planning documents they say they could provide £1m to fund affordable housing off-site.
Coun Adele Douglas also echoed concerns made by Historic England, who called for the plan to be substantially changed.
The heritage body say that moving the markets affect the vitality of the scheme and they’re unhappy that the ‘highly attractive’ Metro cafe building would have to go, too.
CEG points to the new mezzanine space they want to create on the other side of Church Street - which would host the markets, as well as cafes, shops and restaurants in a covered plaza.
They add that they’d be moving the markets closer to their historic location and say that the development would refurbish a site that makes ‘little contribution to the area.’