22-storey residential scheme set for step forward

Proposals for a major mixed-used scheme featuring a 22-storey residential tower with hundreds of apartments on the edge of Manchester’s Northern Quarter are set to go before city council planners for a second time with a recommendation for approval.ASE II Manchester Ltd lodged a dual application for the project in October 2018.It proposes the demolition of buildings at 20 – 22 and 24 – 26 High Street, as well as five market stalls on Church Street, to make way for a 22-storey structure with 361 apartments, ground floor commercial space including a shop, bar, restaurant takeaway, new public realm and cycle parking.Temporary approval is also sought for one- and two-storey market stalls for the ground and first floor for flexible commercial use. This element of the scheme would also comprise a roof terrace for users of the units serving food.The scheme was initially recommended for the green light ahead of a planning committee meeting in June but a decision was delayed in order for a site visit to take place.Then, in July and September, the applicant requested a deferral on the decision in order to review the issues which had been raised, particularly the provision of affordable housing.In a document published ahead of a Manchester City Council planning committee meeting next week (17 October), officers said the proposals would “deliver a high quality building and regenerate a poor quality site (with the exception of 20-22 High Street)”.Final approval is subject to a number of conditions.