Councillors in Manchester have postponed a decision on plans to build more than 3,500 student flats across seven new buildings, the tallest up to 50 storeys, amid concerns that part of the city centre could be 'plunged into darkness'.
Elected officials agreed to delay the decision at a planning committee meeting on Thursday (October 22), arranging site visits to the area before deciding whether to approve or reject the proposals.
Two applications for new student homes
The homes were proposed in two planning applications aimed at boosting the number of student homes in the city. One scheme, earmarked for the Charles Street multi-storey car park, would build a total of 1,041 flats across three buildings.
The second, based on Sackville Street, would build a further 2,511 student homes in four buildings.
Concerns over daylight and traffic
Major concerns were raised at the planning committee meeting about the proposals. One objector said the proposal would have a 'terrible impact' on residents in existing buildings such as Granby Village and Granby House.
He added: "Access to natural daylight and sunlight, and their quality of life, plus the wider impact on Sackville Gardens, and particularly on Vimto park which would be seriously overshadowed."
The objector added the homes could cause 'traffic chaos' in Manchester city centre in September when students annually move into their university accommodation at the start of the academic year. More than 150 letters of objections were sent to the council across both schemes.
Support and further concerns
An agent speaking in support of the plans to develop Charles Street multi-storey car park said the site was an 'appropriate location' for new student accommodation in Manchester, and could help 'reduce pressure' on other areas of the city.
Local ward councillors raised concerns about the plans though. Councillor Jon-Connor Lyons addressed the planning committee to request a site visit before deciding the applications, saying residents have 'serious concerns' about the impacts the schemes would have on their homes.
"For an application of this scale and sensitivity, I think seeing the site in-person would materially assist the committee," he added.
Councillor Ross Steven also raised concerns about the proposals, saying 'residents in the surrounding area will be plunged into darkness for significant periods of time'.
The council's planning committee agreed to arrange site visits for both applications before making a decision.
