Gary Neville's development firm Relentless Developments has unveiled plans for two tower blocks reaching up to 43 storeys in Manchester city centre, part of a wave of new schemes submitted across Greater Manchester.
The proposal would see the towers built on land in St Mary's Parsonage where the former Alberton House once stood and Cardinal House is still located. The scheme could create 434 new homes and 172 hotel rooms, alongside around 12,657sqm of office space.
New destination near Spinningfields
Relentless Developments describes the project as a 'new destination' near Spinningfields, with 'opportunities for cafés, shops and other uses that bring activity to the street, create more welcoming frontages, and encourage people to spend time in the area'.
The plans remain in the early stages, with the firm now seeking views from residents through a public consultation.
Bolton town centre transformation
In Bolton, street food markets, a big screen and an 'urban garden' are part of temporary plans for the soon-to-be-demolished Crompton Place shopping centre. The new features, on Victoria Square, will serve as 'meanwhile use' while the wider plot is redeveloped.
Last year, Bolton council secured planning permission to demolish the 1960s shopping centre to pave the way for a regeneration scheme. In the long term, the area will be transformed into new homes, office, hospitality and leisure space set within a high-quality public space.
Separately, the B&Q store in Bolton could be shrunk so Aldi, Starbucks and another business can move in. French owner BNP Paribas has revealed plans for the site off Kay Street, which would see the DIY store divided into three, with a Starbucks drive-through built on the current 552-space car park. The TradePoint entrance at B&Q would be demolished, with one new store purpose-built for Aldi to relocate from its 'outdated' Higher Bridge Street store.
Regeneration across Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford and Wigan
In Bury, parts of the Mill Gate shopping centre are proposed to be torn down as part of a £24.1m regeneration. Bury council and developer Bruntwood plan to create 'better connections' to Bury Market, with a new public square featuring planting, seating and potentially small commercial units in Princess Parade.
In Oldham, plans have been put forward for two mills that would see 111 new homes built in Saddleworth. Wall Hill Mill in Dobcross would see 26 homes built, while Tanner Bros (Greenfield) Ltd has applied for permission at Waterside Mill in Greenfield to convert the older mill buildings into 59 apartments and build 26 homes. All homes are for those over the age of 55.
Rochdale council has completed the buyout of the Grade-II listed Warwick Mill in Middleton as part of a £3.3m package deal. Built in 1907, the former cotton mill has been vacant for years. The neighbouring 1960s office block, London House, was included in the deal with developers Kam Lei Fong, with plans to demolish London House and bring the historic building back into use as new homes.
In Salford, housing developer Renaker has launched plans to build Aldridge Tower, its tallest building yet in Greengate. Designed by Denton Corker Marshall, the 54-storey and 166-metre block would include 556 one and two-bedroom apartments, alongside resident amenity spaces such as a pool and a gym. The plans, now open for public consultation, also include refurbishing the Grade-II listed Collier Street Baths.
Salford University has also submitted a planning application to demolish its former Humanities building, Crescent House at 43-44 The Crescent, to make way for a new 'purpose-built' teaching facility for its business school. Plans include 7,319 square metres of new educational space, alongside a cafe and small landscaped public realm.
In Wigan, Persimmon Homes has been appointed as preferred development partner for the regeneration of Westwood Park, a brownfield site previously occupied by Westwood power station, which closed in 1986. The developer has been chosen to build more than 450 homes on the 58-acre site, with some land also earmarked for employment space.
