Three new towers with 1,041 student bedrooms are set to be approved by Manchester council this week, despite dozens of objections from residents. The scheme, which would replace the Charles Street multi-storey car park in central Manchester, includes blocks of eight, ten and 38 storeys.
Plans for Charles Street car park site
The site has been earmarked for development for being 'highly accessible' with access to trains, trams and buses. However, a total of 88 objections have been raised about the plans, with critics calling the number of student bedrooms 'completely unreasonable' and warning that removing 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.'
Green Party Councillor Ross Stevens has also objected, calling for the plans to be looked at in more detail.
Second scheme on Sackville Street
A separate planning application, based on land at the Weston student halls and Pendulum Hotel on Sackville Street, aims to build another 2,511 student rooms across four buildings, the highest with 50 floors. These plans have also faced backlash, with a total of 69 objections against the proposals.
One objector said the amount of student bedrooms being planned in the area could see this corner of the city centre turn into a 'small town' itself. Another added: "The development would generate large numbers of deliveries, taxis and vehicle movements, especially during student move-in and move-out periods. This is likely to cause congestion, noise and safety issues on streets that are already very busy."
Economic benefits and decision date
Council bosses looking at the plans said they would bring 'significant economic benefits' to Manchester, creating 220 jobs over seven years and adding more than £240m to the Greater Manchester economy. The schemes are up for decision at the council planning committee on Thursday, October 22, with council officers recommending that both be approved.
