Plans for three new skyscrapers in Manchester city centre are among the latest development applications tabled with councils across Greater Manchester. The proposals for Charles Street would see three blocks of eight, ten and 38 storeys, bringing 1,041 student bedrooms into the city.
Manchester skyscraper plans
The scheme aims to replace the Charles Street multi-storey car park in central Manchester. The site has been earmarked for development for being 'highly accessible' with access to trains, trams and buses.
However, the plan has already whipped up controversy, with dozens of objections submitted to the council. A total of 88 objections have been raised, calling the number of student bedrooms being proposed as 'completely unreasonable' and saying the removal of the car park could lead to 'further congesting car park spaces in the suburbs around the city centre which are already full of cars, making the streets extremely dangerous for children.'
Bolton and Oldham developments
In Bolton, plans have been submitted to demolish buildings in Farnworth town centre and build 49 apartments on land between Bank Street and Queen Street. The proposals include four buildings within the 0.345 hectare site with private and communal amenity space, landscaping, and parking.
In Oldham, an application has been made to convert Waterside Mill in Greenfield into flats below Dovestone Reservoir. The plans include converting the older mill buildings into 59 apartments and building 26 homes on part of the site. All homes are for those over the age of 55, and none of the development will be on greenbelt land.
Rochdale and Salford proposals
In Rochdale, developers want to build 450 houses on former playing fields in Bamford. The fate of one of the initial phases of the giant scheme will be decided next week. In August, Rochdale council's planning committee delayed making a decision on Wain Home's plan to build 45 houses on a plot of land behind Greenvale, in Bamford, as they felt they didn't have enough detail about drainage from the developers.
In Salford, CGIs submitted as part of a planning application show a new Lidl could be built in Pendleton on the site of the former Buzz Bingo hall on Hankinson Way. The new discount shop will include a 'high-quality landscaping plan', the provision of 105 car parking spaces, along with cycle storage and a delivery bay.
Tameside, Trafford and Wigan
The former Metro Majestic cinema in Ashton could be revived after sitting empty for more than a decade. New plans for an entertainment complex would include a cinema, restaurant and bar, theatre, and live music venue. The centrepiece of the venue would be the auditorium, able to host around 1,000 people.
Trafford council is pushing forward with plans to develop an Altrincham site that has stalled since 2007. Two competing visions are set to be considered by the council's cabinet next week for the 4.5-acre site off Oakfield Road. One would be a residential-led scheme, with more than 100 new homes possible, while plan two could see a retail-led approach, most likely including a large food store or supermarket.
In Wigan, a 'light industrial workshop' could be built on vacant land close to homes in Leigh. Plans have been published for the site on Firs Lane showing proposals to build a 58 square metre building which will be no taller than five metres.
