Allied/Connislow’s 33-storey tower approved

Work will start on site next week at 17 New Wakefield Street next to Manchester's Oxford Road station for a residential tower aimed at postgraduate, mature and overseas students.

The Hodder-designed scheme by Allied Developments and student housing specialist Connislow was approved by Manchester City Council at the planning committee meeting yesterday.

The project will see 525 bedrooms in four stepped towers built on a plot of just 7,000 sq ft. The design was revised after comments from CABE and planners, it was originally aimed at undergraduates and had four more floors and smaller rooms.

Manchester-based architects Hodder & Partners also designed the tower that previous site owner Dandara planned before the market crashed.

Planners were concerned about the impact of such a large building within tight boundaries and a busy location. Consequently residents will not be allowed to own cars unless they are disabled or can prove other special circumstances require it.