Gary Neville’s £200m hotel skyscraper plans get the final go-ahead

A consortium behind the St Michael’s development is told the government won’t interveneGary Neville and Ryan Giggs ’ £200m St Michael’s development in Manchester city centre has been given the full green light.A consortium of investors including the Manchester United legends has been told the government will not review or ‘call in’ the council ’s decision to approve the application.It is the final legal planning hurdle scaled for the footballers-turned-developers in what has been a controversial saga.Neville , on behalf of the St Michael’s Partnership behind the skyscraper hotel proposals, said he was ‘delighted’ at the development.Revised proposals were passed by the town hall in March, although the vote wasn’t unanimous.The partnership said the development off Deansgate on Jackson’s Row was expected to contribute more than £80m in gross value added to the local economy and £147m in government tax revenues over 10 years.An impact study for the scheme estimated St Michael’s would create close to 1,500 jobs – with a further 270 jobs available during construction.The development will include a luxury five-star hotel boasting 216 bedrooms and 189 apartments in a tower reaching up 39 storeys into the city centre skyline.The old Bootle Street police station will become a five-star boutique hotel, with a retained facade, and the development will also feature office and leisure space, including an outdoor rooftop terrace.The public square will be in front of the refurbished Sir Ralph Abercromby pub, with a new synagogue also being built nearby.Neville scrapped original plans to bulldoze the pub and police station in July last year, tearing up the initial plans to start again with new architect Stephen Hodder.The plans have also attracted criticism from Historic England and heritage groups, leading to revisions.Council leader Sir Richard Leese said investment into Manchester was crucial to support the city’s on-going regeneration.